UTERINE FIBROIDS WHAT ARE FIBROIDS Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus. Sometimes these tumors become quite large and cause severe abdominal pain and heavy periods. In other cases, they cause no signs or symptoms at all. The growths are typically benign, or noncancerous. The cause of fibroids is unknown. Fibroids are also known by the following names: leiomyomas myomas uterine myomas fibromas Fibroids can grows as a single nodule (one growth) or in a cluster. Fibroid clusters can range in size from 1 mm to more than 20 cm (8 inches) in diameter or even larger. For comparison, they can get as large as the size of a watermelon. These growths can develop within the wall of the uterus, inside the main cavity of the organ or even on the outer surface. Fibroids can vary in size, number and location within and on your uterus. ARE FIBROIDS COMMON Fibroids are actually a very common type of growth in your pelvis. Approximately 40 to 80% of women have fibroids. However, many women don’t experience any symptoms from their fibroids, so they don’t realize they have fibroids. This can happen when you have small fibroids — called asymptomatic because they don’t cause you to feel anything unusual. WHO IS AT A RISK FOR FIBROIDS There are several risk factors that can play a role in your chances of developing fibroids. These can include: Obesity and a higher body weight (a person is considered obese if they’re more than 20% over the healthy body weight). Family history of fibroids. Not having children. Early onset of menstruation (getting your period at a young age). WHERE DO FIBROIDS GROW There are several places both inside and outside of your uterus where fibroids can grow. The location and size of your fibroids is important for your treatment. Where your fibroids are growing, how big they are and how many of them you have will determine which type of treatment will work best for you or if treatment is even necessary. There are different names given for the places your fibroids are located in and on the uterus. These names describe not only where the fibroid is, but how it’s attached. Specific locations where you can have uterine fibroids include: Submucosal fibroids: In this case, the fibroids are growing inside the uterine space (cavity) where a baby grows during pregnancy. Think of the growths extending down into the empty space in the middle of the uterus. Intramural fibroids: These fibroids are embedded into the wall of the uterus itself. Picture the sides of the uterus like walls of a house. The fibroids are growing inside this muscular wall. Subserosal fibroids: Located on the outside of the uterus this time, these fibroids are connected closely to the outside wall of the uterus. Pedunculated fibroids: The least common type, these fibroids are also located on the outside of the uterus. However, pedunculated fibroids are connected to the uterus with a thin stem. They’re often described as mushroom-like because they have a Stalk. Let us discuss each type------ To continue-------