Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that form in the uterine muscle tissue.
The majority of uterine fibroids are diagnosed in women aged 35 to 54. Fibroids can, however, occur in women younger than 35 and up to menopause.
Can collagen cause fibroid?
Because uterine fibroids have a high collagen content, it is understandable that some women who have fibroids wonder whether collagen supplements can cause fibroids to grow or not. The answer is that collagen from supplements or foods containing collagen does not cause or contribute to fibroids' growth. This is due to the fact that collagen is not a food source for fibroids or the primary cause of fibroid formation.
What is the main cause of fibroid?
Hormones are the primary cause of fibroids' growth.
Xenoestrogens, which are estrogen-like hormones found outside the body, can also contribute to fibroid growth. (1) Hormones found in pesticides and foods such as meat injected with growth hormones, as well as plastics, are common sources of xenoestrogens.
Estrogen and progesterone stimulate the growth of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy, according to the Office of Women's Health in the United States. This causes fibroids to swell, and in many cases, they can range in size from a pea to a watermelon. Fibroid growth can be caused by hormonal imbalance.
In addition, there are also several other factors that cause the growth of fibroids such as:
- Birth control pills- Although birth control pills can alleviate some fibroid symptoms, they can also cause fibroids to grow.
- Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) promote cell proliferation in uterine leiomyoma (fibroid) tissue (2)
- Fibroids are caused by certain foods, including processed red meat, high-fat dairy products, salty foods, and certain carbohydrates.
Reference:
1.Katz TA, Yang Q, Treviño LS, Walker CL, Al-Hendy A. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and uterine fibroids. Fertil Steril. 2016 Sep 15;106(4):967-77. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.08.023. Epub 2016 Aug 21. PMID: 27553264; PMCID: PMC5051569.
2. Baird DD, Travlos G, Wilson R, Dunson DB, Hill MC, D'Aloisio AA, London SJ, Schectman JM. Uterine leiomyomata in relation to insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin, and diabetes. Epidemiology. 2009 Jul;20(4):604-10. doi: 10.1097/EDE.0b013e31819d8d3f. PMID: 19305350; PMCID: PMC2856640.