Fibroids Awareness Month 2026 spotlights a common condition that can disrupt daily life and the growing range of treatment options, from oral medicines to medtech.
Uterine fibroids are most common among women in their 30s, 40s and 50s. These growths can disrupt daily life and sometimes make pregnancy more complicated.
For many women, managing fibroids is an ongoing process of making decisions about bleeding, pain and reproductive health.
July 2026 marks Fibroid Awareness Month, an observance focused on fibroid symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options. It also highlights the need for better support for people whose symptoms are often dismissed as just heavy periods.
What Are Uterine Fibroids, and Who is Most Affected?
Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas or myomas, are non-cancerous growths that form in or around the muscular wall of the uterus. They can grow alone or in clusters and range from very small to large enough to change the shape of the uterus.
Fibroids are influenced by hormones involved in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. They often shrink after menopause, although symptoms can persist. They are usually not cancerous or life-threatening, but they can still have a major effect on daily life.
Estimates vary, but the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says 20% to 80% of women develop fibroids by age 50. Black women are disproportionately affected, often developing fibroids earlier and with more severe symptoms.
Some have no symptoms and only need monitoring, while others need medication, procedures or surgery to manage heavy bleeding, pain, pelvic pressure or fertility concerns. In a 2016 online survey of US women, 71% of women diagnosed with fibroids had tried medication or other drug-based symptom relief, while 30% had undergone surgery or another procedure. Researchers also found that fibroids can reduce quality of life and affect work productivity.
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Some treatments can reduce symptoms while preserving the uterus, but symptoms or fibroids can return. A 2024 Kaiser Permanente study found that patients were more likely to need another procedure after uterine artery embolization or endometrial ablation than after myomectomy.
A 2025 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association also linked fibroids with higher long-term cardiovascular risk. In the 10-year study of more than 2.7 million US women, those with fibroids had an 81% higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those without fibroids.
How Are Fibroids Treated, and What New Updates are Emerging?
Deciding on a treatment is a personal process. It often comes down to a patient’s symptoms, age and where the fibroids are located. For many, another key factor is whether they want to keep the option of a future pregnancy open. Depending on those needs, options can range from watchful waiting and medication to specialized procedures or surgery.
For those dealing with heavy bleeding linked to fibroids, oral treatment options have expanded in recent years. Myfembree was approved in 2021, while Oriahnn was approved in 2020 as the first oral, non-surgical medication for heavy menstrual bleeding due to fibroids. Both work by lowering hormone signals involved in fibroid symptoms and both are limited to 24 months of use because of the risk of bone loss.
Beyond the US, Yselty (linzagolix) has been approved in the European Union for moderate to severe fibroid symptoms. The drug is a GnRH antagonist, meaning it reduces hormone signals from the brain that tell the ovaries to make estrogen and progesterone. In 2024, NICE recommended linzagolix in England as a longer-term option for adults of reproductive age with moderate to severe symptoms.
New medical developments are also aiming to reduce complications after fibroid procedures. In January 2026, the FDA filed Rejoni’s premarket approval application for Juveena, an investigational gel spacer used after certain gynecologic procedures, including fibroid removal. It is designed to keep the walls of the uterus from sticking together as they heal, helping reduce scar tissue that can affect fertility and quality of life.
FAQs
Can fibroids affect pregnancy?
Yes, fibroids can sometimes make pregnancy more complicated, depending on their size and location. Some people with fibroids have healthy pregnancies, while others may need closer monitoring.
Do fibroids always need treatment?
No. Some fibroids cause no symptoms and may only need monitoring. Treatment is usually considered when fibroids cause heavy bleeding, pain, pressure, fertility concerns or other quality-of-life issues.
What is the difference between myomectomy and hysterectomy?
A myomectomy removes fibroids while keeping the uterus in place. A hysterectomy removes the uterus and is the only definitive cure for fibroids, but it also means the patient can no longer become pregnant.
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