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Claim: An X user @Ne0_officiall asserts that excessive intake of oral contraceptives can cause fibroid growth.
Verdict: Insufficient Evidence! There is no sufficient medical research to support this claim. Some studies suggest that oral contraceptives may increase the risk, while some suggest oral contraceptives can also be used to reduce the risk of developing fibroids.
Full Text
Uterine fibroids are a significant public health concern among Nigerian women. Studies show varying prevalence rates across different regions, with a 14.2% prevalence in Ogoni, Rivers State, a 6.83% prevalence in South-West Nigeria, and as high as 48% among celibate women in Ibadan.
Research also suggests that fibroids are more common in women aged 26–45, with cases increasing with age. Despite these figures, misinformation about fibroid causes and risk factors continues to spread on social media.
Recently, an X user, @Neo_officiall, alleged that excessive use of oral contraceptives can cause fibroid growth.
Since this post was made on March 2, 2025, it has amassed 139,500 views, 63 comments, 245 reposts, and 122 bookmarks.
Given the high prevalence of fibroids among women and the virality of the post, DUBAWA decided to investigate this.
Verification
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus. They range in size and are influenced by hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone. While fibroids are common, their exact cause remains unknown.
Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but when they do, symptoms can include heavy menstrual bleeding, back pain, frequent urination, and pain during sex. Most fibroids happen in people of reproductive age.
Studies show that fibroids grow when hormone levels are higher (like during pregnancy) and shrink when hormone levels are low (like during the transition to menopause).
Medical research continues to study fibroids for the cause of growth and effective treatments. Two major components known for stimulating the growth of fibroids are estrogen and progesterone. Birth control pills contain both of these elements.
According to the Mayo Clinic, several risk factors can increase one’s chances of developing fibroids. These can include Obesity and a higher body mass index (BMI), a family history of fibroids, not having children, early onset of menstruation (getting your period at a young age), and late age for menopause.
This 2021 study suggests that oral contraceptives may increase the risk of developing uterine fibroids or cause existing fibroids to grow larger, particularly due to the hormonal content, especially estrogen, which fibroids are responsive to.
However, other research indicates that long-term use of oral contraceptives might reduce the risk of developing fibroid.
Expert Opinion
According to Yan Katsnelson, a surgical expert, “the exact cause of fibroids is not currently known.” However, researchers believe they are linked to higher levels of certain hormones. There’s no one-size-fits-all rule on which birth control method is right for people with fibroids.
In some cases, hormonal birth control may help regulate the menstrual cycle and prevent extreme fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen levels, explains Katsnelson. However, the influx of additional hormones may contribute to fibroid growth.
“Every person needs to discuss their options for birth control with their physician, especially if a diagnosis of fibroids has already been established,” says Katsnelson.
Another medical physician, Doctor Stan, noted that taking too many birth control pills causes fibroid growth is an oversimplification and not strongly supported by scientific evidence. Fibroids develop due to various factors, mainly hormonal changes, and the link between birth control pills and their growth is not proven.
Conclusion
The claim that excessive use of oral contraceptives causes fibroid growth is misleading. No strong medical evidence supports this. Experts suggest that if you have concerns about fibroids or contraceptives, you should consult a healthcare professional for accurate information.
