Too Much Sitting May Raise a Woman’s Risk for Uterine Fibroids

It is estimated that up to 77% of women will develop uterine fibroids sometime during their childbearing years. Although the cause of fibroids is unknown, a new study suggests that excessive sitting may significantly increase a woman's risk for these benign but potentially painful growths.

The study, which included more than 6,600 premenopausal women, analyzed their menstrual and reproductive history, contraceptive use, sedentary time, physical activity, and diet. The results revealed that women who sat for more than six hours per day had double the risk of developing uterine fibroids compared to those who sat for fewer than two hours daily.

The authors propose that one possible explanation for this finding could be the relationship between sedentary behavior and obesity, as obesity is a known risk factor for uterine fibroids.