Uterine Fibroid

Fibroids (also called leiomyomas or myomas) are benign growths that develop from the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus. They can range in size from a tiny seed to a melon-sized mass, and a single uterus can harbor several at once. Fibroids are classified by where they grow: inside the uterine cavity (submucosal), within the uterine wall (intramural), or on the outer surface of the uterus (subserosal).

The exact cause of fibroids is not fully understood, but estrogen and progesterone appear to promote their growth — which is why they tend to shrink after menopause. They are more common in women of African descent, who also tend to develop them at younger ages and experience more severe symptoms. Fibroids do not become cancerous.

Many women with fibroids never need treatment. When symptoms are significant — heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, pressure on the bladder or bowel, or complications with fertility — a range of treatment options exists, from medications that shrink fibroids to minimally invasive procedures and, in some cases, surgery. Hysterectomy is the only permanent cure, but many women manage fibroids effectively with less invasive approaches.

Fibroids are remarkably common, yet many women don't realize they have them until a routine ultrasound or pelvic exam reveals them. For women who do experience symptoms — particularly heavy bleeding that interferes with daily life or severe pain — knowing that effective treatments exist is empowering.

If fibroids are affecting your quality of life, you don't have to accept that as inevitable. The range of treatment options has expanded significantly, and what is right for you will depend on the size and location of your fibroids, your symptoms, and whether you plan to become pregnant in the future.