Health
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What are Fibroids?

Adam Hill
Adam Hill

Fibroids, also referred to as uterine fibroids, are benign, noncancerous tumors that grow in the uterus. They often appear during a woman's childbearing years, and are the most common benign growth found in women. About one in every 1000 tumors becomes cancerous, although many doctors think that the cancer in these cases is not actually due to the growth itself. As many as 75% of women get these growths at one point or another, but most go completely unnoticed because they cause no symptoms. They range in size from microscopic to grapefruit-sized, and the largest ones can be felt by the woman herself through the abdominal wall.

Uterine fibroids do not usually require any treatment, but can be treated with medication and/or surgery in the event that they become problematic. Those growths that do cause symptoms are often associated with excessive pain or bleeding during the menstrual period, lower back pain, and frequent urination. At one time, particularly troublesome tumors were almost always removed by performing a hysterectomy. However, newer surgical techniques now allow the growths to be removed from the uterus, which is the preferred option compared to a hysterectomy, especially for women who still want to have children.

A hysterectomy may be performed to remove troublesome fibroids.
A hysterectomy may be performed to remove troublesome fibroids.

The naming of these tumors, or a singular fibroma, is done based on exactly where the tumor is located. Intramural fibroids are the most common type, and are located in the wall of the uterus. Those located on the outside are called subserosal fibroids. These can grow quite large, and some even grow partially detached from the uterus, being connected to it by a stalk. If this happens, it is known as a pedunculated fibroma.

Uterine fibroids might cause lower back pain.
Uterine fibroids might cause lower back pain.

Submucosal fibroids are those which develop just inside the inner lining of the uterus, in smooth muscle tissue. Sometimes, these tumors form within the cavity of the uterus, and are called intracavitary fibroids. These will almost always cause noticeable symptoms related to menstruation, if they are large enough. They will likely need to be removed, but this can often be done in an outpatient setting. Rounding out the list are cervical fibroids, which grow in the tissue of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus which leads to the birth canal.

Uterine fibroids are tumors that grow in the uterus.
Uterine fibroids are tumors that grow in the uterus.

In the very rare case that a uterine fibroma becomes malignant, one of the signs of malignancy is that it will continue to grow after menopause. It is not known what causes this condition to develop. No risk factors have been determined for developing growths, other than being a female of childbearing age.

Discussion Comments

LisaLou

@julies - You are lucky you aren't having any problems with your fibroids, as most women don't. I have had a lot of bleeding and sharp pains that my doctor believes is related to bleeding fibroids.

I don't think I am going to be able to take a 'watch and see' attitude, as these are starting to affect my life many days of the month.

My first step will be to have a simple surgery done to remove them as I don't want to go through a complete hysterectomy if I don't have to.

I don't know how long I have had them, but it seems like I didn't start having problems with them until I got close to menopause.

I know there is a connection between fibroids and estrogen and don't know if that has anything to do with that or not. I just know that I need to do something to take care of the symptoms soon.

julies

Most information I have read says that uterine fibroids are not necessarily genetic, but I think that genetics play a small part in it.

Both of my grandmothers and my mother had uterine fibroids, and all of them had a hysterectomy because of them.

Today most doctors are not as quick to do a hysterectomy as many of these fibroids will no longer be a problem once you go through menopause.

I certainly was not surprised when I was told I had fibroid tumors in my uterus. They were not causing me any problems, and at this point I am not doing anything about it.

Since they very rarely turn in to cancer, and I'm not having any problems, I don't plan on doing anything other than making sure I have my regular annual exam.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • A hysterectomy may be performed to remove troublesome fibroids.
      By: olly
      A hysterectomy may be performed to remove troublesome fibroids.
    • Uterine fibroids might cause lower back pain.
      By: Maridav
      Uterine fibroids might cause lower back pain.
    • Uterine fibroids are tumors that grow in the uterus.
      By: blueringmedia
      Uterine fibroids are tumors that grow in the uterus.
    • The naming of the fibroids is based on where the tumors are located.
      By: rob3000
      The naming of the fibroids is based on where the tumors are located.
    • Pelvic pain and cramping are common symptoms of uterine fibroid tumors.
      By: michaeljung
      Pelvic pain and cramping are common symptoms of uterine fibroid tumors.
    • Uterine fibroids usually do not require any treatment.
      By: Marin Conic
      Uterine fibroids usually do not require any treatment.
    • Uterine fibroids may cause excessive menstrual bleeding.
      By: Vlad Ivantcov
      Uterine fibroids may cause excessive menstrual bleeding.