Fibroids (medically known as leiomyomas) are tumours developing in the muscle of the womb. They are the commonest tumours in women and they are generally benign. Some have found that they may be present in 50% of women. The exact cause of fibroids is unknown. They are more common in women of Afro-Caribbean origin. Fibroids tend to grow during reproductive years and to become smaller after the menopause indicating that the sex hormones (oestrogens and progestogen) must be implicated.
Some fibroids distort the cavity of the womb (submucosal
Figure 23.1) resulting in menstrual disturbance. Occasionally, these submucous fibroids can be squeezed out to appear at the cervix. Other fibroids migrate to the outer surface of the uterus (subserous) and may press on other pelvic structures such as the bladder. Small fibroids do not generally require treatment although it is probably wise to assess them at intervals to check that they are not growing.
Figure 23.1
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