Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are a very common tumour in women.

What is a fibroid tumor?
Fibroid tumors are usually benign (non-cancerous) tumors most often found in the uterus, although they occasionally develop in other organs which contain smooth muscle cells. They are the most common gynecological tumor in women.

Fibroid tumors vary in size and number, are most often slow-growing and usually cause no symptoms. Approximately 25% of fibroid tumors will cause symptoms and need medical treatment. Fibroid tumors may grow as a single nodule or in clusters and may range in size from 1 mm to more than 20 cm in diameter.

The cause of fibroid tumors has not actually been determined, but most fibroids develop in women during their reproductive years. Fibroid tumors do not develop before the body begins producing estrogen. Fibroid tumors tend to grow very quickly during pregnancy when the body is producing extra estrogen. Once menopause has begun, fibroid tumors generally stop growing and can begin to shrink due to the loss of estrogen. Fibroid tumors may be erroneously called fibroid cysts.

Alternative names for fibroid tumors are:
Leiomyoma; Fibromyoma; Myoma; Fibroids

How do I know I have fibroids?Depending on the size and location of the fibroids, there may or may not have any symptoms. Common complaints from fibroids are heavy periods, pain, pressure symptoms on the neighbouring when the fibroid is sizeable. Sometimes it can be associated with recurrent miscarriages and difficulty to conceive. Some of the fibroids produce no symptoms and are detected only at ultrasound or routine gynaecological examination.