By EKalman March 28, 2024 - 3:25am

Fibroids are more common in women in their middle to late reproductive years, usually between the ages of 30 and 50. According to research, most women's fertility begins to diminish after the age of 35, and by the age of 45, it is extremely unlikely to conceive naturally. However, women can develop fibroids after menopause.

Menopause occurs when a woman's menstrual periods have halted for 12 consecutive months, signifying the end of her reproductive years.

After menopause, the body's synthesis of estrogen falls considerably. Because fibroids rely on estrogen to grow, they usually diminish or disappear after menopause.

However, in certain situations, fibroids may continue to grow after menopause, for unknown reasons. It's possible that the ovaries continue to produce modest levels of estrogen after menopause.

Other Factors That Increase the Risk of Fibroids
Several other variables can enhance a woman's chances of acquiring fibroids. These include family history, obesity, exposure to estrogen-like xenohormones, a high-red meat diet low in fruits and vegetables, and vitamin D insufficiency. African American women also have a higher risk of acquiring fibroids.

Fibroids might produce severe symptoms or none at all. Fibroid symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, longer periods, pelvic pain, frequent urination, constipation, and back pain. Fibroids can only be found during a normal pelvic exam or imaging test and are treated by a fibroid specialist.

Fibroids in Elderly Women
Although fibroids often affect younger women, current research has yielded some interesting findings about uterine fibroids in older women.

Previous research has shown that the prevalence of symptomatic fibroids peaks during perimenopause and then gradually falls when menopause begins. However, some recent research suggests that healthcare providers should reconsider their approach to fibroids in older women.

A study found that more than 30% of women newly diagnosed with fibroids were in their mid- to late-forties. This suggests a shift in what was previously believed about fibroids and which age groups of women are more likely to get them.

The North American Menopause Society published another interesting study, which was conducted on 102 postmenopausal women between 2015 and 2020. The study used vaginal ultrasonography to detect and follow active fibroid growth in these elderly individuals at six-month intervals.

It was discovered that smaller fibroids grew more frequently than larger ones, and obese women experienced twice the quantity of fibroid growth as those with healthy BMI.

Older Women's Fibroid Treatment
Often, peri-menopausal women with just minor fibroid symptoms are told to wait it out until they approach menopause, with the idea that these symptoms may resolve themselves.

Menopause typically arrives at age 51, but the waiting game can be extremely difficult for women who experience worsening symptoms such as excessive bleeding, pelvic pain, painful intercourse, or urine frequency. During menopause, bleeding symptoms usually improve or vanish; however, some bleeding due to fibroids can still be noted in women who use hormone replacement therapy following menopause
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New fibroids might stop forming, and existing fibroids may shrink slightly over time. However, fibroids do not go away with menopause, and medium to large fibroids can continue to cause pelvic pain, pelvic pressure, painful intercourse, and, most typically, frequent urination well into women's 50s and 60s.

If their symptoms are impacting their quality of life, an OB-GYN would typically recommend a hysterectomy. The common consensus is that these women are past the childbearing age and hence no longer require a uterus.

In recent years, research has found ties between a woman's uterus removal and a variety of other women's health issues, including cardiovascular illness and cognitive decline. A hysterectomy can also impair sexual function, raise the chance of urine incontinence and bowel issues, and increase the likelihood of developing depression and anxiety. A hysterectomy should be avoided and only performed as a last resort.