Does Alcohol Affect Fibroids?

In the past, women were told that alcohol use affects fibroids. Specifically, past studies like this one suggested that alcohol consumption could increase the risk of developing new uterine fibroids by up to 16%. However, a more recent review of alcohol use and fibroid risk suggests the connection may be more complex. So what’s the verdict on drinking when it comes to fibroid risk? Here’s what you need to know.

Can Alcohol Make Uterine Fibroids Worse?

Until recently, we were told that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol could disrupt the hormonal balance in your body in ways that could cause fibroids to develop. However, a 2026 study published in the Journal of Nutrition is calling that idea into question. For this study, a team of researchers at the University of Milan conducted a systematic review of 13 previous studies regarding the relationship between alcohol use and fibroid risk. In all, more than 135,000 women were included in these studies, with 56,000 of the women saying they never drank alcohol.

Here’s what the review proved: when the groups of women were looked at as a whole, alcohol use did not seem to directly increase the risk for developing new tumors. But when you divided the women by racial or geographic groupings, the review authors found that women from China saw significant increases in fibroid risk when they consumed alcohol.

Can I Drink Alcohol If I Have Myoma?

Now that the scientific evidence has shifted slightly, you may think there are no risks involved in consuming alcohol with fibroids. But that’s not entirely true. You see, alcohol use may not directly increase your risk for fibroid development. But alcoholic beverages are often highly caloric. And carrying extra weight can be considered a risk factor for fibroids. (Fat cells produce more estrogen, and excess estrogen can contribute to the development of new fibroids, or growth of existing tumors.) So, if you are worried about fibroids or all already living with these non-cancerous uterine tumors, you can drink alcohol occasionally. But it’s probably a good idea to limit your intake to occasional use.

Can Stopping Alcohol Shrink Fibroids?

Quitting alcohol is unlikely to shrink existing tumors. But following a fibroid-friendly diet, and reducing your alcohol intake, could help prevent new tumor development. It could also help reduce your risk for tumor growth if you’re already living with fibroids.

So, if giving up alcohol won’t shrink your fibroids, how can you reduce the size of existing tumors? Here at Texas Endovascular, our team shrinks fibroids with a minimally invasive procedure known as Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). Performed without general anesthesia, on an out-patient basis, UFE can shrink existing tumors by cutting off their blood supply. Over the weeks and months that follow the procedure the fibroids—robbed of nourishment—shrink gradually, easing your fibroids symptoms without the need for surgery.

Our interventional radiologists always recommend following a healthy diet and minimizing intake of substances like alcohol with fibroids, since doing so can help ease your symptom burden. But to get rid of tumors, you will need a medical procedure. And if you want that procedure to be non-surgical, we encourage you to request a UFE consultation at one of our seven locations in the Houston and Dallas regions. During your appointment, we can review your candidacy for this procedure.