Why women who delay having children may be at a higher risk of uterine fibroids

Experts have linked the increasing incidence of uterine fibroids among women in Nigeria to delayed conception. The longer a woman waits to have children after the onset of menstruation, the higher the likelihood of developing fibroids, according to these experts. They are calling for greater awareness of fibroids, improved healthcare services, and the availability of ultrasound scanning units in healthcare facilities throughout the country.

Various studies have indicated that the prevalence of fibroids among Nigerian women is 12.1%, resulting in substantial financial costs for treating approximately 12.77 million women of reproductive age with fibroids. Uterine fibroids, as defined by the GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, are noncancerous tumors of the uterus, and their occurrence is significant.

Delayed childbirth is identified as a risk factor for uterine fibroids by Dr. Monday Solomon, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist. He explains that nulliparity, the condition of never having given birth or carried a pregnancy, contributes to the development of fibroids. Dr. Solomon also notes that obesity and hormonal factors, particularly estrogen and progesterone, are associated with fibroid growth. Fibroids are most commonly observed between the ages of 30 and 40 and can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, anemia, increased bleeding, and pain during intercourse.

Uterine fibroids can impact fertility by distorting the inner lining of the uterus, obstructing the fallopian tubes, or leading to miscarriages. However, the relationship between uterine fibroids and infertility is not always straightforward, and fibroids may not be the sole cause of infertility.

Treatment options for uterine fibroids include non-surgical approaches such as medication, as well as surgical interventions like Uterine Artery Embolization and High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound. Surgical procedures such as hysterectomy or myomectomy may be necessary depending on individual circumstances and fertility goals.