Delayed childbearing may cause uterine fibroid

On Jul 14, 2023

Some Experts have linked increasing cases of uterine fibroid among women in Nigeria to delayed conception. According to them, the longer a woman takes before she starts having children, from the commencement of menstruation, the more chances they have to develop fibroids. Based on this, the experts called for increased awareness of fibroids and medical care services, as well as the availability of ultrasound scanning units in health centres across the country.

According to GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, several studies have shown that the national prevalence of fibroids amongst Nigerian women is 12.1 per cent, even as Nigeria loses over N10.8 billion to the treatment of about 12.77 million women of reproductive age that develop uterine fibroids. It further defines uterine fibroids or fibroids as benign smooth muscle tumours of the uterus, noting that the point of reference for fibroid is high.

According to a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr Monday Solomon, rising cases of uterine fibroids in Nigeria were caused by the decision to give birth at a later age than used to be by some women.

He considered nulliparity, a condition or state in which a woman has never given birth to a child before or has never carried a pregnancy, as a risk factor for uterine fibroids.

Dr Solomon, who is the Medical Director of NISA Premier Hospital, Jabi, Abuja, said some risk factors associated with the development of uterine fibroids are modifiable, saying that fibroids are more common in obese women.

He noted that fibroids are dependent on estrogen and progesterone to grow and therefore, relevant only during the reproductive years.

“More women are now postponing marriage and childbirth in pursuit of their career while others are unmarried. Another reason is that people are becoming more enlightened and tend to seek medical help unlike before. Race has also been implicated as it is generally more common in black women than in their Caucasian counterparts,” he said.

The fertility expert said the peak age of incidence of uterine fibroids is between 30 and 40 years, stating that it occurs more commonly in women of reproductive age group. He added that abdominal pain, anaemia and increased bleeding can indicate the presence of fibroids. He added that there might also be pain during intercourse (penetration), depending on the location of the fibroid.

“Cases of uterine fibroids contribute to the increasing cases of infertility. If the fibroid is large or is located close to the inner lining of the uterus called the endometrium, it can distort this inner lining and make it difficult for the embryo to implant”.

Meanwhile, an Associate Professor of Medicine and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Ayodeji Oluwole, noted that there is a higher incidence of fibroids in black people, which has been linked to genetic makeup, intake of diet deficient in certain vitamins or reduced intake of fruits and vegetables, among others.

He affirmed that the rise might be due to increased diagnosis, delayed childbearing and many other reasons postulated.

On the contribution of uterine fibroids to rising cases of infertility in Nigeria, Dr. Oluwole said a direct relationship is usually not the case, but several other factors are important for this association.

The associate professor said it has been observed that fibroids are associated with infertility but not necessarily a cause of infertility.

“Yes, as some black women have coexisting pregnancies with uterine fibroids and can successfully carry the pregnancy to term,” he added.

Wumi/ PUNCH