[1] Medications of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist class may decrease the size of the fibroids but are expensive and associated with side effects.

[12] Fibers, vitamin A, C and E, phytoestrogens, carotenoids, meat, fish, and dairy products are of unclear effect.

The appearance of prominent nucleoli with peri-nucleolar halos should alert the pathologist to investigate the possibility of the extremely rare hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (Reed) syndrome.

Fibroids of uterine origin located in other parts of the body, sometimes also called parasitic myomas have been historically extremely rare, but are now diagnosed with increasing frequency.

Known risk factors are African descent, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, and never having given birth.

[31] Expression of transforming growth interacting factor (TGIF) is increased in leiomyoma compared with myometrium.

[36] Expansion of uterine fibroids occurs by a slow rate of cell proliferation combined with the production of copious amounts of extracellular matrix.

When ultrasound findings are inconclusive, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be able to confirm the diagnosis of uterine fibroids in most cases.

[22] In extremely rare cases uterine fibroids may present as part or early symptom of the hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer syndrome.

[42] Especially since the 2010s, minimally invasive and noninvasive options are increasingly being offered as they have advanced on their technological journey from being new and unusual to being common clinical practice.

[44] Ulipristal acetate is a synthetic selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) that has tentative evidence to support its use for presurgical treatment of fibroids with low side-effects.

[53] Yet, due to some rare but severe hepatic injuries after UPA treatment, the licence was suspended in 2020 in the EU[54] and voluntary removed in Canada.

[44] Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs cause temporary regression of fibroids by decreasing estrogen levels.

Because of the limitations and side effects of this medication, it is rarely recommended other than for preoperative use to shrink the size of the fibroids and uterus before surgery.

Several variations are possible, such as GnRH agonists with add-back regimens intended to decrease the adverse effects of estrogen deficiency.

[44] Progesterone antagonists such as mifepristone have been tested, there is evidence that it relieves some symptoms and improves quality of life but because of adverse histological changes that have been observed in several trials it can not be currently recommended outside of research setting.

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a noninvasive procedure that blocks blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink.

The principal mechanism of action may be similar like in UAE but is easier to perform and fewer side effects are expected.

[60][non-primary source needed][61][non-primary source needed] The 2016 NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence – the non governmental public body that publishes guidelines in the use of health technologies and good clinical practice in the United Kingdom) guidelines state UAE/UFE can be offered to people with symptomatic fibroids (fibroids being usually >30mm in size).

Patients should be informed that UAE and myomectomy (the surgical removal of fibroids) may potentially allow them to retain their fertility.

It is usually recommended when more conservative treatment options fail for patients who want fertility preserving surgery or who want to retain the uterus.

[65] An analysis of 15,000 patients found that those who had myomectomy required fewer additional procedures to manage fibroids (including hysterectomies) over the next 5 years than those who had UAE.

Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound, is a non-invasive intervention (requiring no incision) that uses high intensity focused ultrasound waves to destroy tissue in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which guides and monitors the treatment.

During the procedure, delivery of focused ultrasound energy is guided and controlled using MR thermal imaging.

[69] Patients who have symptomatic fibroids, who desire a non-invasive treatment option and who do not have contraindications for MRI are candidates for MRgFUS.

[1] Surgery to remove uterine fibroids occurs more frequently in women in "higher social classes".

[12] Eighty percent of African American women will develop benign uterine fibroid tumors by their late 40s, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

[12][13][74] In African American women fibroids seem to occur at a younger age, grow more quickly, and are more likely to cause symptoms.

[76] Other suggested causes include the tendency of African American women to consume food with less than the daily requirements for vitamin D.[12] The 2005 S.1289 bill was read twice and referred to the committee on Health, Labor, and Pensions but never passed for a Senate or House vote; the proposed Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2005 mentioned that $5 billion is spent annually on hysterectomy surgeries each year, which affect 22% of African Americans and 7% of Caucasian women.

[12] Myomectomy and uterine artery embolisation seem to be equally effective in improving quality of life, as measured 4-yours after surgery.