New Michigan Medicine Study Finds Significantly Lower Uterine Fibroid Prevalence Among Latina Women

Michigan Medicine researchers find 12% fibroid prevalence in Latina women using ultrasound data, challenging previous high estimates in reproductive health.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 8:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

A Corrective Analysis of Reproductive Health Data

Recent findings from researchers at Michigan Medicine suggest that uterine fibroids may be far less prevalent among Latina women than earlier medical literature indicated. While some previous projections estimated prevalence as high as 37%, this new data identifies a rate of approximately 11.8% within the studied group. By utilizing ultrasound technology to confirm diagnoses rather than relying on self-reported surveys or fragmented medical records, the study establishes a more accurate baseline for understanding reproductive health within this specific demographic.

Methodology and the Community Based Research Landscape

The data stems from the Environment, Leiomyomas, Latinas, and Adiposity Study, known as ELLAS, which is the largest U.S. project focused on fibroids in Latina women. Based in Southeast Michigan, the research utilized community based participatory research principles to ensure the study was grounded in the needs of the local population. According to Felix M. Valbuena Jr, the community co-author and CEO of the CHASS Center in Detroit, this methodology centers on respect and community involvement, providing powerful data on various aspects of Latina reproductive health that had been previously overlooked.

Strategic Impact of Aging on Fibroid Development

The study involved 621 women, primarily of Mexican descent, between the ages of 21 and 50. The research found a clear correlation between advancing age and the likelihood of developing these noncancerous uterine growths. Prevalence was measured at a low 3.5% for women in their twenties, but that number climbed to 18.7% for those in the 41 to 50 age bracket. This age specific data, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, provides clinicians with a clearer timeline for monitoring and counseling patients throughout their reproductive years.