This week we are jumping right into a very important topic: uterine fibroids.

Maybe you have experience with fibroids, or maybe you do not even really know what they are yet. Either way, this is a conversation every woman should understand.

Fibroids are incredibly common. It is estimated that up to 75 to 80 percent of women may develop fibroids during their lifetime, and many women have them without even knowing they are there.

They are also highly prevalent in perimenopause, which is when many women start noticing heavier periods, more pelvic pressure, more bloating, more pain, worsening PMS, and new urinary symptoms.

In this episode, we go deep into what fibroids are, how they may impact your body and hormones, what symptoms to watch for, and what you can do to better understand, prevent, or reduce the growth of uterine fibroids.

This is especially important because fibroids are not just a “period problem.” They can affect bleeding, iron levels, fertility, pelvic pain, bladder symptoms, sex, and quality of life.

And no, you should not have to just suffer through it because “that’s normal for women.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• What uterine fibroids are and why they are so common
• Which age group is most likely to be diagnosed with fibroids
• Why fibroids are especially common in perimenopause
• The hormones that influence fibroid growth
• When fibroids typically begin to develop during a woman’s lifespan
• Common signs and symptoms of uterine fibroids
• Where women may feel pain or pressure from fibroids
• How fibroids can affect periods, bleeding, fertility, and quality of life
• What to do if you think you may have fibroids
• How fibroids can indirectly affect iron levels and contribute to fatigue
• Common urinary symptoms associated with fibroids
• Why painful intercourse may be a sign of fibroids
• Important contributing factors behind fibroid development and growth
• Which hormone fibroids are most sensitive to
• Why xenoestrogens may matter and how to reduce exposure
• Why synthetic scents and fragrance may be worth avoiding
• Which vitamin may be important for fibroid prevention
• How supplements may support healthy hormone metabolism and fibroid management
• What foods to include in your diet to support fibroid prevention
• The relationship between fibroids, insulin, and metabolic health
• Why certain peptides may not be appropriate for women with a history of fibroids

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus.

They can vary widely in size. Some are tiny and cause no symptoms at all, while others can grow large enough to create pelvic pressure, heavy bleeding, painful periods, bladder symptoms, constipation, painful sex, or fertility challenges.

Many women do not know they have fibroids until they have imaging done, such as a pelvic ultrasound.

The frustrating part is that many women are told fibroids are common, but they are not always given a clear explanation of why they develop, what makes them grow, or what can be done beyond “watch and wait” or surgery.

Why Fibroids Are Common in Perimenopause

Fibroids are often diagnosed in women in their 30s and 40s, and symptoms may become more noticeable during perimenopause.

Perimenopause is a time of major hormonal fluctuation. Estrogen can become more erratic, progesterone can decline, ovulation may become less consistent, and bleeding patterns can change.

Because fibroids are hormonally responsive, this stage of life can be a perfect storm for heavier periods, increased pelvic pressure, worsening PMS, and symptoms that were not obvious before.

This is why a woman may suddenly feel like her periods have gone completely rogue.

What Are the Symptoms of Fibroids?

Fibroid symptoms can vary depending on the size, number, and location of the fibroids.

Common symptoms may include:

• Heavy periods
• Longer periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Pelvic pressure or fullness
• Low back pain
• Lower abdominal pain
• Painful intercourse
• Frequent urination
• Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
• Constipation
• Bloating or abdominal distention
• Fertility challenges
• Fatigue from low iron or anemia

Some women have no symptoms at all, while others experience symptoms that seriously affect their daily life.

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How Fibroids Can Affect Periods and Iron Levels

One of the most common signs of fibroids is heavy menstrual bleeding.

This can look like flooding, large clots, needing to change pads or tampons frequently, bleeding through clothing or sheets, or periods that last longer than usual.

Over time, heavy bleeding can contribute to low ferritin, low iron, or anemia. This can leave women feeling exhausted, weak, dizzy, short of breath, cold, foggy, or unable to exercise the way they used to.

If your periods are heavy and your energy is tanking, do not just blame it on being busy or getting older. Check your iron and ferritin.

Fibroids, Estrogen, Progesterone and Insulin

Fibroids are hormonally sensitive, which means hormones can influence their development and growth.

Estrogen is often discussed in relation to fibroids because fibroids can be estrogen-sensitive. But the conversation is more complex than estrogen alone. Progesterone, insulin, inflammation, detoxification, nutrient status, and environmental exposures may also play a role.

Insulin is especially important because insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction may contribute to a hormonal environment that supports fibroid growth.

This is why supporting blood sugar, metabolic health, liver detoxification, gut health, and inflammation can be part of a more complete fibroid strategy.

Xenoestrogens, Synthetic Fragrance and Fibroid Risk

Xenoestrogens are chemicals that can mimic or interfere with estrogen activity in the body.

They can be found in some plastics, pesticides, personal care products, cleaning products, synthetic fragrances, air fresheners, scented candles, and other everyday exposures.

Does this mean you need to live in a bubble? No.

But if you have fibroids, heavy bleeding, estrogen-sensitive symptoms, or a history of hormone-sensitive conditions, reducing avoidable endocrine-disrupting exposures can be a smart move.

One of the easiest places to start is synthetic fragrance.

That means looking at perfumes, scented laundry products, plug-ins, air fresheners, scented candles, body sprays, and heavily fragranced personal care products. Your uterus does not need to smell like “spring meadow breeze.” She has enough to deal with.

Nutrition and Supplements for Fibroid Support

Nutrition can play an important role in supporting hormone metabolism, inflammation balance, blood sugar, and overall uterine health.

A fibroid-supportive diet often focuses on:

• Protein at each meal
• Colorful vegetables
• Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and arugula
• Fiber-rich foods
• Omega-3-rich foods
• Berries and antioxidant-rich foods
• Mineral-rich foods
• Blood-sugar-balanced meals
• Plenty of hydration

It may also be helpful to reduce ultra-processed foods, excess sugar, alcohol, and foods that drive blood sugar instability or inflammation.

Vitamin D is one of the key nutrients often discussed in relation to fibroid risk and prevention. Other supplements may be considered depending on the person, but this should be individualized based on labs, symptoms, medications, and overall health history.

What to Do If You Think You Have Fibroids

If you suspect you have fibroids, the first step is proper evaluation.

Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms and ask whether imaging, such as a pelvic ultrasound, is appropriate.

You may also want to ask about:

• CBC
• Ferritin
• Iron studies
• Thyroid markers
• Fasting insulin
• Glucose and A1c
• Sex hormones when appropriate
• Vitamin D
• Inflammatory markers

If your periods are extremely heavy, painful, or affecting your quality of life, do not wait months or years to get help.

Common does not mean you should be dismissed.

Why Peptides May Not Be Appropriate With a History of Fibroids

Some peptides may influence growth, repair, or tissue signaling pathways in the body.

Because fibroids are growths, women with a history of fibroids should be cautious and work with a knowledgeable practitioner before using peptides that may stimulate growth-related pathways.

This does not mean every peptide is automatically off the table for every woman, but it does mean your history matters.

This is one of those areas where more is not better, and guessing is not a great plan.

This Episode Is For You If:

• You have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids
• You suspect you may have fibroids but have not been tested
• You have heavy periods, clotting, pelvic pressure, or painful periods
• You are in perimenopause and your periods have suddenly changed
• You struggle with low iron, low ferritin, or anemia
• You have frequent urination, bladder pressure, constipation, or painful sex
• You want to understand how estrogen, progesterone, insulin, and xenoestrogens may affect fibroids
• You want to know what lifestyle, nutrition, and supplement strategies may help support fibroid prevention and management

FAQ Section

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. They can be very small or quite large, and symptoms depend on their size, number, and location.

Are fibroids common in perimenopause?

Yes. Fibroids are very common in women in their 30s and 40s, and symptoms may become more noticeable during perimenopause because of hormonal fluctuations, heavier bleeding, and changes in ovulation.

What are the most common symptoms of fibroids?

Common fibroid symptoms include heavy periods, long periods, pelvic pressure, bloating, lower abdominal pain, low back pain, painful sex, frequent urination, constipation, fertility challenges, and fatigue from low iron or anemia.

Can fibroids cause heavy periods?

Yes. Fibroids can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, clotting, flooding, and bleeding between periods. Over time, this can contribute to low iron, low ferritin, or anemia.

Can fibroids cause low iron?

Yes. Fibroids can indirectly cause low iron if they lead to heavy menstrual bleeding. Women with heavy periods should consider checking CBC, ferritin, and iron studies.

Can fibroids cause frequent urination?

Yes. Depending on their size and location, fibroids can press on the bladder and cause frequent urination, bladder pressure, urgency, or difficulty fully emptying the bladder.

Can fibroids cause painful sex?

Yes. Fibroids can contribute to painful intercourse, especially if they create pelvic pressure, uterine tenderness, or pain depending on their size and location.

What hormones affect fibroid growth?

Fibroids are hormonally responsive. Estrogen is often discussed because many fibroids are estrogen-sensitive, but progesterone, insulin, inflammation, and other growth signals may also influence fibroid development and growth.

Can insulin resistance affect fibroids?

Insulin resistance may contribute to the hormonal and inflammatory environment that supports fibroid growth. Supporting blood sugar balance and metabolic health can be an important part of a fibroid prevention or management plan.

What vitamin is important for fibroid prevention?

Vitamin D is one of the key nutrients discussed in relation to fibroid risk and prevention. Women with fibroids or high risk for fibroids may want to test vitamin D and work with a practitioner to optimize their levels.

Should I avoid fragrance if I have fibroids?

Reducing synthetic fragrance may be helpful because some fragranced products contain chemicals that can act as endocrine disruptors. This includes perfumes, scented laundry products, air fresheners, plug-ins, scented candles, and heavily fragranced personal care items.

What should I do if I think I have fibroids?

If you think you have fibroids, speak with your healthcare provider and ask whether a pelvic ultrasound is appropriate. If you have heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, anemia symptoms, bladder pressure, or fertility concerns, do not ignore it.

About the Author

Karen Martel is a Certified Hormone Specialist and Transformational Nutrition Coach who founded Karen Martel Midlife Solutions to address the gap in personalized women's hormone care. She and her all-female expert team work with women in perimenopause and menopause to build individualized hormone protocols, including bioidentical HRT, clinical coaching, and root-cause-focused care. Their work centers on giving midlife women the clinical precision and genuine answers that conventional medicine has consistently failed to provide.