How Fast Do Fibroids Grow Back After Myomectomy?

März 9, 2026

American Fibroid Centers

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You might think a myomectomy would be a one-and-done solution for fibroids. For some women, it is. But for many others, fibroids can slowly regrow back after surgery, sometimes sooner than expected. Studies show that regrowth isn’t uncommon, with up to half of women developing new fibroids within 5 to 10 years. Knowing how often this happens, and why, can help you decide whether another surgery makes sense or if a less invasive option like uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) might be a better long-term fit for your body and your life.

Why Do Fibroids Come Back After Myomectomy?

Myomectomy removes existing fibroids but does not change the underlying conditions that caused them to grow, such as hormone levels and genetics. During surgery, it’s also not always possible to see or safely remove every tiny fibroid, especially if there are many or they’re deep in the uterine wall. Over time, those remaining cells can grow into new fibroids. When that happens, familiar symptoms may slowly return, including heavy periods, pelvic pressure, bloating, or even frequent urination.

Common reasons fibroids return after myomectomy

Multiple fibroids at the time of surgery
Small or deep fibroids that are left in place
Ongoing estrogen and progesterone exposure
Family history or genetic tendency toward fibroids
Younger age at the time of surgery (more years of hormone exposure ahead)

What Do Studies Say About Fibroid Regrowth Rates?

You might hear stories of women who felt great for years after a myomectomy, and that absolutely happens. But when researchers follow large groups of women over time, another pattern starts to show up. Fibroids don’t always stay gone.

Across multiple studies, regrowth is common enough that many women eventually face it. Some see fibroids return within the first few years, while others notice symptoms creeping back later on. Overall, research suggests that up to half of women develop new fibroids within 5 to 10 years after surgery, and the chances tend to increase the longer you’re out from your procedure.

For some women, that means manageable symptoms. For others, it can lead to repeat treatments or even another surgery down the line. Knowing what the numbers really look like can help you set realistic expectations and think through which long-term solution feels right for you.

Fibroid Regrowth Rates Over Time

About 15–33% of women experience fibroid recurrence after myomectomy overall
Around 12–15% see fibroids return within the first year
31–43% have recurrence by year three
51–62% by year five
In some studies, recurrence reaches up to 84% by eight years
One study found that about 20% of women had fibroids grow back within just a few years
Larger studies show 10–21% of women eventually needed a hysterectomy within 5–10 years due to recurring fibroids and symptoms

In other words, some women enjoy many years of relief after myomectomy, but many others see symptoms returning sooner than expected.

How Fast Can Fibroids Grow Back?

There is no single “clock” for fibroid regrowth after myomectomy, as it’s highly individual and depends on factors like your age, hormone levels, and how many fibroids were present initially. For some women, new fibroids can begin to show up as early as a few months after surgery; for others, it may take several years before symptoms creep back. Research generally shows a common pattern:

Relatively low recurrence in the first 1–2 years
Noticeable increase in recurrence between 3–5 years
Significant recurrence rates by 5–10 years, especially in younger women

That does not mean everyone will have the same experience, but it highlights that myomectomy is rarely a once-and-done fibroid treatment.

Who Is More Likely to See Fibroids Return Quickly?

Some women notice fibroids coming back pretty quickly after a myomectomy, while others go years without issues. A lot of that comes down to your body, your hormones, and your history. There’s no way to predict it perfectly, but doctors do see a few patterns come up again and again. If you fall into one or more of these categories, it’s important to think about long‑term fibroid treatment, not just short‑term symptom relief.

Younger Age (especially under 35-40)

If menopause is still a long way off, your body simply has more time for hormones to keep feeding fibroid growth.

Multiple Fibroids Removed

When there are lots of fibroids, tiny ones can be easy to miss, and those can grow over time.

Larger Fibroids or a Very Enlarged Uterus

This often means your body has a stronger tendency to form fibroids in general.

Family History of Uterine Fibroids

If your mom or sisters had them, your chances of regrowth can be higher, too.

High Estrogen Levels

Factors such as weight, hormone therapy, or other estrogen-boosting factors can make fibroids more likely to return.

Myomectomy vs. UFE: Different Approaches to Recurrence

A myomectomy physically removes fibroids from the uterus, but UFE takes a different approach. During UFE, an interventional radiologist uses image guidance to thread a tiny catheter into the arteries that feed the fibroids and injects tiny particles to block their blood supply. Without blood flow, fibroids shrink over time, and symptoms like heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure significantly improve over time.

When researchers have compared myomectomy and UFE, a few differences stand out:

In one study, fibroids came back in about 31.6% of women after myomectomy, compared with about 14.3% after UFE
Overall symptom relief was similar, but UFE tended to involve a shorter recovery and no surgical incisions

No fibroid treatment can promise that fibroids will never return. That said, UFE treats all fibroids at once, including tiny ones that can be hard to see or remove during surgery, which may lower the chance of symptoms returning from fibroids that were “missed” the first time.

Does a Myomectomy Lead to Repeat Surgeries?

Many women choose myomectomy because they want to keep their uterus and avoid a hysterectomy, and that’s completely understandable. The hard part is that when fibroids come back, they often bring the same frustrations with them: heavy periods, anemia, fatigue, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, and even discomfort during sex.

If fibroids return quickly, some women find themselves facing:

Repeat myomectomy surgeries
The possibility of a hysterectomy down the road
More time away from work, family, and daily life for recovery

Going through that cycle more than once can take a real toll, not just physically, but emotionally and financially too. That’s why many women start looking into minimally invasive options, like uterine fibroid embolization, that may offer longer-term symptom relief without repeat surgeries.

Why Many Women Now Ask About UFE First

After hearing that fibroids can grow back even after myomectomy, it’s natural to wonder if there’s a way to get relief from fibroid symptoms that does not require repeat procedures. UFE offers a way to treat fibroids with less chance of recurrence and without removing the uterus or making large incisions, which is why it has become such an important alternative to traditional surgery.

Minimally invasive: A tiny catheter instead of large incisions
Uterus-sparing: Preserves the uterus without cutting into it
Short recovery: Many women return to usual activities within days
Treats Multiple Fibroids: Targets multiple fibroids at the same time

American Fibroid Centers affiliated board-certified interventional radiologists in Brooklyn, Harlem, and Queens, focus on UFE as a primary treatment option, especially for women who want to avoid repeat procedures or are worried about how quickly fibroids might return after a myomectomy. Your care team takes the time to review your symptoms, imaging, and personal goals, then walks you through every option so you can choose what truly fits your life.

Ready to Talk About Your Options?

If you are concerned about fibroids growing back after myomectomy, or you are still deciding which fibroid treatment makes sense for you, it helps to speak with fibroid specialists who focus on minimally invasive care every day. The question is not just “How fast do fibroids grow back?” but also “How many times do you want to go through this?”

American Fibroid Centers offers uterine fibroid embolization at affiliated outpatient centers in Brooklyn, Harlem, and Queens, giving women across New York City a surgery‑free option for long‑term fibroid relief. To learn whether UFE could be right for you, schedule an appointment at your nearest American Fibroid Centers location today.

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