What are fibroids?

Treatments and Strategies

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumours of extra tissue that develop on the interior wall of the uterus as well as on its exterior (and at times around the cervix). Women over 30 years of age are most susceptible, especially those of Afro-Caribbean origin. It is estimated that between 20-30% of all females have fibroids at some point in their lives, although the large majority of these are unaware of this.

Signs and Symptoms

About 50% of women with fibroids show no signs at all. As for the rest, their symptoms include:

• Heavy, painful periods (in the case of larger fibroids, which can give the appearance of a seven-month pregnancy)

• Backache

• Frequent urination

• Painful sexual intercourse

• Miscarriage

• Anaemia (due to heavy blood loss)

• Fatigue

• Infertility

• Abdominal cramps or swelling

• Incontinence

• Bleeding between periods

• Reoccurring urinary tract infections

• Increased vaginal discharge

• Excess pressure on the bowels or bladder.

Since some of these symptoms can be present in other conditions such as endometriosis, sexually transmitted diseases or other tumours a thorough check up with your doctor is recommended.

Possible causes

The cause of fibroids is unknown although there appears to be a link between increased use of the oral contraceptive pill (especially those high in oestrogen) and their growth.

Moreover, fibroids tend to shrink after the menopause, when womens' oestrogen levels naturally decline (unless one is on HRT-which often has the opposite effect due to its high oestrogen content).

There may also be a genetic factor involved since fibroids are known to run in families. Likewise, stress has also been seen as a possible causative factor.

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