Some risk factors for fibroids are as follows:

• Ethnic background — Fibroids are three times more common in black women as compared to white, non-Hispanic women.
• Number of pregnancies — The more pregnancies a woman has that she carries to term, the less likely she is to have fibroids.
• Use of birth control — Women who use birth control pills have a lower risk of developing fibroids, although women who use the pill at an early age (between age 13 and 16) may have an increased risk. Similar to the birth control pill, women who use using continuous progestin contraceptives (for example, Depo Provera®) have a lower risk of fibroids.
• Smoking — Women who smoke have a decreased risk of fibroids. However, it is very clear that the health risks of smoking far outweigh any small benefit of the decreased incidence of fibroids.
• Diet — Significant consumption of beef, ham, or other red meats does seem to increase the risk of fibroids, while consumption of green vegetables decreases risk.  Alcohol, especially beer, also increases the risk for fibroids.