Fibroids

What are Fibroids?

Fibroids are benign tumours (non-cancerous growths) of the uterus (womb) and present in 30-50% of women. They occur in women of all races and backgrounds.

Fibroids arise from smooth muscle and connective tissue of the uterine muscle itself. They feel like a smooth lump in the lower abdomen just above the pubic bone.

They can occur in women as early as their late teens but are most commonly diagnosed when a woman is in her thirties or forties.

The majority of fibroids do not cause any real problem. However, they are still responsible for 30% of all gynaecological hospital admissions and are the main reason for hysterectomies when they may cause heavy and irregular bleeding.

Fibroids are common in women who have hormone imbalances, especially when there is too much circulating oestrogen.

Very few lesions are or become malignant. Signs that a fibroid may be malignant are rapid growth or growth after menopause.

During pregnancy they may be the cause of: