Fibroids affect about one in five women under 50. Fibroids are growths, often muscle of the uterus.
They grow very slowly, usually over several years, but can end up the size of a small plum or even the size
of a term pregnancy. Mostly they stay within the normal confines of the muscle wall, but sometimes
they bulge into the womb or out into the pelvic cavity.

The precise cause is unknown but they are linked to the production of the oestrogen hormone.
They tend to grow during pregnancy when you produce lots of oestrogen but stop developing and
usually shrink after your last period when oestrogen levels fall. Like endometriosis, they’re more common
if you have a close relative with them, but you can’t prevent them happening.

Many women have no symptoms and don’t even know they have fibroids. If symptoms do occur, they often
start as bloating, heaviness and a feeling of discomfort in the abdomen. Some women have very heavy periods
often with flooding, clotting and pain, particularly if the fibroid has grown inside their womb. The heavy periods
may lead to anaemia (iron deficiency) so you feel very tired and lacking in energy. Sometimes the fibroids
cause low backache or abdominal cramps. Large fibroids can press on the bladder or bowel,
causing urinary problems or constipation.

Fibroids can lead to infertility. They are thought to be the cause of about one in ten cases of infertility.

Your GP is likely to discover them through a routine gynaecological examination and refer you for a scan
to confirm the diagnosis.

If the fibroids are small, you probably won’t need treatment but should have regular check-ups.
Treatment for more severe problems includes drug treatment aimed at shrinking them, by cutting off their
blood supply by a technique called uterine embolization, removing them surgically or occasionally a
hysterectomy, depending on your situation.