Uterine Fibroids and Their Association with Acute and Chronic Venous Thromboembolic Disease—An Expert Review of the Literature

TL;DR

This paper reviews how uterine fibroids may contribute to venous thromboembolism in women, emphasizing the need for better awareness and management strategies.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive expert review linking uterine fibroids to venous thromboembolism and highlights gaps in screening and treatment.

Findings

Uterine fibroids may cause venous stasis and thrombosis by compressing pelvic veins.

There is a lack of detailed guidelines for managing thromboembolic risks associated with fibroids.

Screening and awareness are needed due to the asymptomatic nature of fibroids.

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism is significantly affected by hormonal and reproductive factors that pose unique challenges in women. Among various risk factors, the role of uterine fibroids, which are the most common benign tumors in women, is not well understood. The relationship between venous thromboembolism and fibroids is mainly attributed to the physical compression caused by large fibroids on pelvic veins, particularly the iliac veins, leading to venous stasis and thrombosis. This review explores the prevalence, pathogenesis, risk factors, possible racial influences, and management strategies of venous thromboembolism associated with fibroids. It highlights the need for better awareness, considering the asymptomatic nature of many fibroids and their potential to lead to serious thromboembolic complications. There is a clear need for screening methods, detailed guidelines, and treatments to prevent such complications and improve women’s health care.

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