Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are non-cancerous tumours that grow in the thickness of the muscular wall of the uterus. They can vary in size, from small as a bean to a watermelon size.
Are the most common types of non-cancerous tumours of the female reproductive system. It is estimated that 3 out of 4 women will develop uterine fibroids at some point in their lives.
Types of uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids can vary widely in size, shape and location and can affect the uterus, uterine wall or surface. They can also attach to the uterus by a stalk-like structure. Fibroids affect approximately 35-77% of women of reproductive age, but the actual prevalence is much higher, as many fibroids can be asymptomatic.
According to their location in the uterus:
- Subserous fibroids form on the outside of the uterus;
- Intramural fibroids grow in the middle muscle layer of the uterine wall (myometrium) and are the most common type of fibroid;
- Submucosal fibroids grow in the middle muscular layer, or myometrium, of the uterus and protrude into the uterine cavity;
- Pedunculated fibroids grow on a stalk from outside the uterus;
- Interligamentous fibroids grow between the uterine ligaments;
Fibroids symptoms
Fibroids can be symptomatic causing various symptoms and asymptomatic, in up to 75% of cases, and therefore are often diagnosed incidentally during routine annual examinations or when the patient seeks medical attention for other conditions.
Uterine fibroids have been included by the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the category of conditions that cause abnormal uterine bleeding alongside other pathologies such as adenomyosis and endometrial polyps. Fibroids symptoms depend on the type of fibroid, its location and its size.
These can be abnormal uterine bleeding, infertility, pelvic pain or pressure, and urinary dysfunction.
If you suffer from heavy bleeding and you might wonder if you have fibroids, you can make an appointment and our specialists will help you receive a correct diagnosis.
