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A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on Alcohol Consumption and Uterine Fibroids: An Update from 2017
Noemi Salmeri1, Sonia Cipriani2, Elena Ricci3
1Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2023-2027, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Infertility Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
Background:
Alcohol intake has been associated with an increased risk of several female-specific conditions. For uterine fibroids (UF), which are common benign uterine tumors, the literature is conflicting.
Objectives:
The aim of this systematic review is to provide an up-to-date summary of the available studies investigating the association between alcohol intake and UF.
Methods:
A systematic search on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane databases for relevant articles published up to 20 March, 2025 was conducted. Eligible studies reported data on alcohol exposure in women diagnosed with UF and in controls. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models.
Results:
Thirteen studies including 135,370 women (79,060 ever drinkers and 56,310 never drinkers; 9944 with UF and 125,426 without UF) showed no significant association between ever compared with never alcohol consumption and UF risk (pooled OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.86, 1.26). Nine studies (3,375,571 women) on current compared with never alcohol exposure (1,710,978 current and 1,664,593 never drinkers; 160,708 with UF and 3,214,863 without UF) also showed no overall association (pooled OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.91, 1.32). However, subgroup analyses showed between-group differences by geographical region and diagnostic method of UF, with significantly higher risks in China (pooled OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.29, 9.43), and in studies using clinical/surgical confirmation (pooled OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.39).
Conclusions:
Although studies are heterogeneous and evidence is limited, this meta-analysis suggests that alcohol consumption may not be associated with the overall risk of UF. In specific geographic regions, the risk appears to increase, suggesting context-dependent effects. The trial was previously registered at PROSPERO as CRD42024518769.
