Abstract
Since fibroids are known to be hormonally receptive tumors, it is
biologically plausible that fibroids decrease in size after menopause.
Patients may opt for more conservative therapy or expectant management
if fibroid growth could be predicted[1](#ref-0001). Studies
assessing fibroid growth in premenopausal patients have shown that
individual tumors in a single uterus grow at different rates and can
grow consistently or in short bursts 2. These
variations and the unknown effect of natural menopause make patient
counseling difficult. Studies that include only symptomatic menopausal
patients or those undergoing treatment can result in selection bias
towards fibroids that are increasing in size 3,4. The
objective of our study was to estimate fibroid growth course before and
after menopause among women not specifically seeking fibroid treatment.
Our hypothesis was that fibroid growth would decline after menopause.