They appear more often in women over 35, and in women of African heritage. However, women of any age and ethnic background may have fibroids. Their growth is stimulated by estrogen, so women taking birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy, women who are pregnant, or women who experience increased estrogen levels during perimenopause may experience symptoms caused by enlarged fibroids. At this time, there is no way to predict which women will get fibroids. Since we don't know what causes them, we really don't know how to prevent them.
Many women have fibroids, even large ones, and experience no symptoms.
Others experience many unpleasant symptoms, even with small fibroids. Do not attempt to diagnose yourself and do not assume that you have fibroids based on symptoms alone. It is important to get a diagnosis from a qualified health professional. You need a medical diagnosis. A gynecologist will start by performing a manual pelvic exam.