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| What are Uterine Fibroids? |
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Fibroids are tumours that grow in the female uterus (womb). They are benign, which means they are not cancerous, and are made up of muscle fibre. Of all the tumours that women can get anywhere in the body, uterine fibroids are the most common. They mostly affect women of the age of 35-50 years. Although the exact cause of fibroids is unknown, they seem to be influenced by oestrogen and genetics. The tumours are not dangerous but can influence a woman's quality of life.
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Fibroids can be as small as a pea and can grow as large as a melon. Fibroids can grow as a single tumour, or there can be many of them in the uterus.
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It is estimated that approximately 20-40% of women have, or will have, fibroids during their fertile years. Fibroids are often unnoticed. They are rare in women under the age of 20, most common in women in their 30s and 40s, and tend to shrink after the menopause. Only 1/3 of women affected have symptoms such as:
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Heavy and long menstrual bleeding, |
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Frequent urination or incontinence, |
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Abdominal pain or pressure, sore legs or back pain, |
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Pain during sexual intercourse |
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Unwanted infertility or even miscarriages | |
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Only if symptoms occur, a treatment for fibroids should be considered and started. |
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