Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomata, are benign growths in the uterus. Fibroids are one of the most common causes of chronic abnormal uterine bleeding.

Most of the time, fibroids grow in women of childbearing age. While no one knows for sure what will increase a woman's chances of getting fibroids, researchers have found that African American women are 2 to 3 times more likely to get them than women of other racial groups are. African American women also tend to get fibroids at a younger age than do other women with fibroids. Women who are overweight or obese also are at a slightly higher risk for fibroids than women who are not overweight.

Health care providers put fibroids into three groups based on where they grow, such as just underneath the lining of the uterus, in between the muscles of the uterus, or on the outside of the uterus. Most fibroids grow within the wall of the uterus. Some fibroids grow on stalks (called peduncles) that grow out from the surface of the uterus, or into the cavity of the uterus.

Reproductive problems, such as infertility, having more than one miscarriage, or having early onset of labor during pregnancy

No. A cyst is a collection of fluids. Gynecologic cysts are clinically known as Nabothian cysts and appear in the cervix. They occur when a cervical gland gets blocked and the secretions build up. These cysts are very common and don't usually cause any symptoms. Since they do not cause symptoms, they most often do not need to be treated.

Fibroids are usually diagnosed by physical examination when the uterus is felt to be enlarged or irregular in shape. Other methods of diagnosis include hysteroscopy, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography scan (CT scan).

Sometimes fibroids develop again, but the majority of women do not require another myomectomy. The key is to plan the correct operation, exercise excellent surgical judgement, and take precautions to lessen postoperative scar tissue formation at the myomectomy site.

The fibroids will shrink once they no longer have any blood supply. The tissue of the fibroid softens and it is slowly reabsorbed by the body. Rarely, some tissue can be passed through the cervix and vagina. Back to top

Uterine fibroids are lumps that grow on your uterus. You can have fibroids on the inside , on the outside , or in the wall of your uterus. Your doctor may call them fibroid tumors, leiomyomas, or myomas. But fibroids are not cancer. You do not need to do anything about them unless they are causing problems. Fibroids are very common in women in their 30s and 40s. By the time they are 50, about 80 women out of 100 have fibroids. But fibroids usually do not cause problems.