As many as three out of four women have uterine fibroids, but many do not even know what they are. Here we will answer the question, "What are uterine fibroids?".

What are uterine fibroids? Uterine fibroids, also known as fibromyomas, leiomyomas, or myomas, are surprisingly common among women of childbearing age. In fact, it is estimated that as many as three out of four women will have uterine fibroids as some point during their lives.

Many of these women, however, will not even know they are there. Many uterine fibroids go undetected because the majority do not cause any symptoms or complications. Several of those that are discovered are actually found by a doctor as a result of a routine pelvic exam or ultrasound. When told that they have uterine fibroids, many women do not even know what they are. In simple terms, uterine fibroids are just growths that develop on the uterus. The masses are not cancerous, and they almost never develop into cancer. They also do not cause an increased risk of developing uterine cancer. Because fibroids are common and typically cause no problems, most do not need to be treated in any way. In some cases, however, medical intervention may be needed to control symptoms, if they occur.

Most uterine fibroids do not cause the patient any side effects at all. Sometimes, though, symptoms may be present, but they may seem to indicate something else. The most common symptoms include heavy bleeding during menstruation, prolonged menstrual periods, pelvic pain or pressure, frequent urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, constipation, and leg or back pain. In some rare cases, a fibroid can cause acute pain if it outgrows its blood supply and dies. As the fibroid dies, it releases material into the body that can cause pain.

There are two types of fibroids. Those that grow on the inside of the uterus, also known as submucosal fibroids, are a primary cause of prolonged, heavy menstrual periods. They can also cause difficulties for women who are trying to get pregnant. Subserosal fibroids, or those on the outside of the uterus, can put pressure on the bladder, rectum, or spinal nerves, causing problems with urination, constipation, and back pain. For severe symptoms like chronic pelvic pain, heavy, painful periods, spotting or bleeding in between periods, pain during sexual intercourse, difficult urination, or difficulty moving your bowels, it is important to seek medical attention.