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Oral Contraceptives and Uterine Fibroids Risk in Black Women

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PICO QUESTION: In black women, does taking oral contraceptives as compared to never taking

oral contraceptives result in a higher incidence or rate of uterine fibroids?

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Introduction:

Black women frequently experience uterine fibroids; therefore, black women must

understand how oral contraceptives can influence the prevalence of uterine fibroids to make

educated health decisions. Non-cancerous uterine fibroids can appear in women of any age and

may grow in the uterus. They are more prevalent among reproductive-age women, especially

Black women. According to studies, approximately eighty percent of black women eventually

get uterine fibroids. Symptoms of uterine fibroids can range from severe menstrual bleeding to

pain and pressure in the pelvis. If ignored, they might also result in infertility.

Although the precise root cause of fibroids in the uterus remains unknown, some risk

factors can make it more likely. Genetics, obesity, and excessive estrogen levels are a few of

these. The likelihood of getting uterine fibroids can also be influenced by oral contraceptives,

which comprise hormones like progesterone and estrogen. According to some research, women

who use oral contraceptives are more likely than those who do not acquire uterine fibroids. Other

research, nevertheless, has not discovered a connection between the two.

Since black women are already at a greater risk of getting uterine fibroids than women of

other ethnic or racial backgrounds, it is crucial to comprehend the potential link between oral

contraceptive pills and uterine fibroids in this population. Black women need to know if using

oral contraceptives raises their risk so they can determine whether or not to use the drug.

For the healthcare sector, it's crucial to comprehend how oral contraceptives affect fibroid

prevalence. Doctors and other medical professionals need to know if there is a connection

between oral contraceptives and fibroids to give their patients the best care possible. Uterine

fibroids are a prevalent health problem for black women, so they must understand the potential
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connection between contraceptive pills and the prevalence of fibroids to make an informed

choice about their health. To give their patients, the best care possible, healthcare practitioners

must be aware of any potential connections between them.

Literature Review

The purpose of the research (Kwas et al., 2021) sought to look into how contraceptives

affected uterine fibroids. The incidence of uterine fibroids, thought to be among the most

prevalent benign growths of the female genital structure, rises with aging and occurs more

frequently in black women. The authors examined the impacts of using birth control on fibroid

development and associated effects in trial designs, observational research, and comprehensive

reviews.

The scientists discovered a correlation between reduced fibroid development and the

effects of contraceptives containing hormones, such as mixed contraceptives with oral

medication, progestin-only methods of contraception, and the levonorgestrel implanted gadget.

The researchers.(Kwas et al., 2021). did point out that there had been a lack of scientific proof

for these impacts and that the outcomes differed according to the sort of contraception used. The

consumption of contraceptives with no hormones, including condoms as well didn't contribute to

the development of the fibroid, as the researchers further discovered.

The scientists discovered that, in contrast to non-hormonal methods of contraception,

hormonal methods were linked to a reduction in fibroid growth and accompanying symptoms.

However, they cautioned, therefore, the proof was scant and that more studies were required to

support their conclusions.

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Using a thorough scoping study (Morhason-Bello et al., 2022) evaluated the prevalence

of fibroids in the uterus in Black African women. Factors associated with risk incident

rate/prevalence and results were three of the primary findings that the researchers discovered

after reviewing 16 research. The scientists found that fibroids in the uterus in Black African

women are influenced by hereditary, environmental, way of life, and hormonal factors. Genetic

background, age, as well as obesity were among the risk variables that were most frequently

reported. In Black African women, fibroids in the uterus varied from 8.8% to 63.4%. Fertility

issues, pregnancy losses, and premature delivery are just a few of the results the investigators

discovered that fibroids in the uterus are linked to.

According to the researchers, uterine fibroid tumors are a prevalent medical condition

amongst Black African women that is linked to an array of consequences (Morhason-Bello et al.,

2022). According to the researchers, more study is required to comprehend the causes of and

effects of fibroids in the uterus in this population segment. The researchers suggest stepping up

public health initiatives to lessen the impact of this illness on Black African women.

Conclusion

According to this study, fibroids in the uterus affect Black African women regularly, with

prevalence rates varying from 8.8 to 63.4%. It has been shown that there might be a connection

between using specific contraceptives orally and a lower chance of getting fibroids. Additional

study is required to corroborate these results and further examine the impacts of fibroids in the

uterus on Black African women. Medical professionals should be conscious of a possible

association between oral contraceptives and fibroids in the uterus when discussing treatment

options for their Black African clients. Prevention strategies should be devised to lessen the

condition's effects on Black African women.

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References

Kwas, K., Nowakowska, A., Fornalczyk, A., Krzycka, M., Nowak, A., Wilczyński, J., &

Szubert, M. (2021). Impact of contraception on uterine fibroids. Medicina, 57(7), 717.

https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57070717

Morhason-Bello, I. O., & Adebamowo, C. A. (2022). Epidemiology of uterine fibroid in Black

African women: A systematic scoping review. BMJ Open, 12(8).

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052053