Uterine Fibroids Do Not Directly Cause Systemic Infections
Uterine fibroids themselves do not cause infections in your body. These are benign smooth muscle tumors of the uterus that do not inherently increase your risk of developing infections 1, 2.
Understanding Fibroids and Infection Risk
Fibroids (leiomyomas) are the most common benign tumors in women of reproductive age, occurring in up to 80% of women by age 50 3. They are non-infectious growths composed of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts from the uterine wall 4.
When Infection Concerns May Arise
The only scenarios where fibroids relate to infection risk involve medical procedures or devices, not the fibroids themselves:
During IUD insertion in women with fibroids: Guidelines note concern about increased infection risk at the time of IUD insertion in women with cervical cancer or endometrial cancer, but this relates to the insertion procedure itself, not fibroids 4
Surgical complications: Hysteroscopic myomectomy (fibroid removal) carries a risk of endomyometritis (uterine infection) as a procedural complication, not from the fibroid itself 4
Post-hysterectomy: Abscess formation is listed as a potential complication of hysterectomy surgery for fibroids, again related to the surgery rather than the fibroids 4
What Fibroids Actually Cause
Instead of infections, fibroids cause symptoms through mechanical and hormonal mechanisms 1, 2:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding (potentially leading to anemia) 5
- Pelvic pressure and pain 1
- Bowel and bladder dysfunction 1
- Reproductive issues including infertility 6
- Sexual dysfunction 6
Important Caveat
If you have fibroids and develop fever, pelvic pain, or unusual discharge, these symptoms suggest a separate infection (such as pelvic inflammatory disease or a sexually transmitted infection) that requires evaluation and treatment, but is not caused by the fibroids themselves 4.