Uterine Fibroids in Latinas: Findings from the Environment, Leiomyomas, Latinas, and Adiposity Study
Recommended Citation
Marsh EE, Jean DA, Jiang C, Valbuena F, Harlow S, Neff L, Carnethon M, Wegienka G, Baird DD. Uterine Fibroids in Latinas: Findings from the Environment, Leiomyomas, Latinas, and Adiposity Study. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2026.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-7-2026
Publication Title
American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
Keywords
Fibroid; Hispanic; Latina; Leiomyoma; Prevalence; Ultrasound
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Latinos are among the fastest growing populations in the United States. While previous work indicates racial/ethnic differences in fibroid prevalence, little is known about the prevalence of this condition among Latina females in the U.S.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of fibroids among reproductive-aged Latina females and identify associated factors in this population.
STUDY DESIGN: ELLAS is a prospective cohort study of Latina females, based in Southeast Michigan. Data were collected between October 2017 and October 2022, at both the Community Health and Social and Social Services Center (CHASS) in Detroit, MI, and the University of Michigan's Center for Reproductive Medicine in Ann Arbor, MI. Eligible participants self-identified as Hispanic or Latina; were assigned female sex at birth; were aged 21-50 years at enrollment; could speak, read, and write in either English or Spanish; were not currently pregnant; and did not have an implantable electrical device, history of malignancy, or other conditions requiring chemotherapy or radiation. Fibroid symptoms were not a requirement of participation. Fibroid prevalence was rigorously established via self-reported medical history and expert administration of transvaginal ultrasounds. Participant features - including demographics, health, acculturation level, and other factors of interest - were established via surveys, interviews, and in-person measurement.
RESULTS: Among ELLAS participants who completed a vaginal ultrasound (N = 609 of 621 eligible), the mean age was 37.3 ± 7.0 years and 68 (11.2%, CI 8.6%-13.8%) presented with fibroids. The majority had a single fibroid (75.0%), while 25.0% had two or more. The mean size of the largest fibroid - most often intramural (80.9%) - was 2.9 ± 1.2 cm in diameter. Fibroid prevalence was found to be higher in older age groups, rising from 3.5% (CI 1.4% - 10.0%) among participants aged 21-30 years, to 8.3% (CI 4.9% - 11.7%) in those 31-40, and 18.7% (CI 13.3%- 24.1%) between 41-50 (P< 0.001). Logistic regression models indicated that fibroid presence was associated with younger age at menarche (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-0.99) and increasing gravidity (aOR 0.80, CI 0.66-0.97). Findings indicated no significant association with parity (aOR 0.85 CI 0.68-1.07).
CONCLUSIONS: ELLAS is among the first prospective studies of its size to use an ultrasound confirmation approach to establish fibroid prevalence among Latina females in the United States. Our findings suggest the prevalence of fibroids among Latina females is much lower than previously reported in the literature and significantly lower than in Black and White women. More research is needed to understand why burden may be lower in this population and how such findings can be used to benefit all women.
PubMed ID
41956310
ePublication
ePub ahead of print
