Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are muscle growths that occur on the wall of the uterus or within the uterine cavity in child-bearing women (25 years to 45 years). Fibroids can grow in a single growth or in clusters.

The size of the fibroid can vary. Some may be as small as apple seeds while others maybe 1 kg tumours. These growths are usually benign (non-cancerous) but in some cases turn malignant.

No one knows what causes fibroids. Overweight and obese women are at a higher risk.

Knowing Fibroids
Small fibroid growths do not cause symptoms. Large fibroids cause pressure symptoms depending on the part of the uterus they are growing on. These symptoms prevent you from carrying on with your daily activities.

Front Wall of the Uterus
You will want to urinate frequently and will feel like urinating often without doing so.

Back Wall of the Uterus
This will put pressure on the rectum and could cause constipation. You may also have problems defecating.

Side Wall of the Uterus
This will pressurise the urethra and may lead to kidney complications.

Uterine Cavity
If fibroids grow in the uterine cavity (i.e. the space within the uterus) then you will have menstrual problems like heavy periods, bleeding in clots throughout your periods and irregular bleeding (bleeding in between your period). All this can lead to anaemia because of the excessive blood loss.

You may also have extreme pre-menstrual and menstrual cramps that could hamper daily life. Simple tests like an ultra-sound scan, x-rays, a CT scan, an MRI or a routine pelvic exam can confirm the presence, size and location of the fibroids.

Sometimes minor surgery like laparoscopy and hysteroscopy is used besides the above tests.

• Laparoscopy
  An incision is made on the abdomen and a small tube with a light is placed in to check for fibroids. This is done under general anaesthesia.
• Hysteroscopy
  A long tube with a camera is inserted into the vagina and the uterus to check for the presence of fibroids.
  

Types of Uterine Fibroids
You may have either one type or a combination of several types of fibroids.

Peduncle Fibroids grow on stalks from the surface of the uterus or in the uterine cavity.

Submucous Fibroids grow just under the lining of the uterine cavity.

Intramural Fibroid Tumours develop within the uterine wall and expand making the uterus seem bigger and heavier than normal.

Subserosal Fibroids develop on the outer portion of the uterus and grow outwards. This type does not affect conception.