A fibroid is a noncancerous tumor composed of muscle and fibrous tissue. It is located in the uterus.

• Fibroids can cause pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, constipation, repeated miscarriages, and an urge to urinate frequently or urgently.

• Doctors do a pelvic examination and usually ultrasonography to confirm the diagnosis.

• Treatment is necessary only if fibroids cause problems.

• Doctors may prescribe drugs to control the symptoms, but surgery or a procedure to destroy the fibroids is often needed to relieve symptoms or to make childbirth possible.

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       Fibroids are also called leiomyomas or myomas. Fibroids in the uterus are the most common noncancerous tumor of the female reproductive tract. By age 45, about 70% of women develop at least one fibroid. Many fibroids are small and cause no symptoms. But about one-fourth of white women and one-half of black women eventually develop fibroids that cause symptoms. Fibroids are more common among women who are overweight.

What causes fibroids to grow in the uterus is unknown. High levels of estrogen and possibly progesterone (female hormones) seem to stimulate their growth. Fibroids may become larger during pregnancy (when levels of these hormones increase), and fibroids tend to shrink after menopause (when levels decrease drastically).

If fibroids grow too large, they may not be able to get enough blood. As a result, they begin to degenerate and cause pain.

       Fibroids may be microscopic or as large as a basketball.

       Fibroids may grow in different parts of the uterus, usually in the wall (which has three layers):

• Under the outer surface of the uterus (subserosal fibroids)

• In the wall of the uterus (intramural fibroids)

• Under the inside layer (lining or endometrium) of the uterus (submucosal fibroids)

       Subserosal fibroids are the most common type. Some fibroids grow from a stalk (called pedunculated fibroids). Some submucosal fibroids extend into the interior of the uterus (called intracavitary fibroids). Fibroids that grow in the wall or just under the endometrium can distort the shape of the interior of the uterus.

Often, women have more than one fibroid.

Very rarely, fibroids become cancerous.

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Source: www.merckmanuals.com