Fibroids

"Fibroids | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Healthy living Women's health Girls and young women (puberty to around 25) Periods and menstrual health Fibroids Fibroids  |  | Polski |  |  | British Sign Language (BSL) | Easy Read Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the muscular wall of the womb (uterus). These growths are made up of muscle and tissue and can be different sizes. Some can be the size of a pea, others can be the size of a melon. Theyre sometimes known as uterine myomas or leiomyomas. Fibroids are common. Around 1 in 3 people who menstruate develop them at some point in their life. Theyre more common as you get older. Symptoms Many people dont know that they have fibroids because they dont have any symptoms. This is nothing to worry about. Speak to your doctor if: Youre worried about your symptoms or you regularly have: heavy periods painful periods tummy (abdominal) pain lower back pain a frequent need to urinate constipation pain or discomfort during sex symptoms which are affecting your day to day life If your doctor thinks you might have fibroids, theyll usually refer you for an ultrasound scan to confirm the diagnosis. Why fibroids develop The exact cause of fibroids is unknown. Theyre linked to the hormones produced by the ovaries, oestrogen and progesterone. Fibroids usually develop and grow as long as the ovaries are producing these hormones. Fibroids may continue to grow during pregnancy. They tend to shrink when these hormone levels fall, such as after the menopause . Types of fibroids There are different types of fibroid. The main types of fibroids are: intramural  the most common type of fibroid, these develop in the muscular wall of the womb subserosal  fibroids that develop on the outside part of the wall of the womb and can become very large submucosal  fibroids that develop in the muscular layer of the womb beneath the wombs inner lining (endometrium) and grow into the inside of the womb pedunculated  subserosal or submucosal fibroids that are attached to the womb with a narrow stalk of tissue Treatment Fibroids will often shrink after the menopause,as hormone levels in your body change. If you have fibroids, but youre not affected by any symptoms then you dont need treatment. However, if you do have symptoms, your doctor can recommend the right treatment for you. Treatment options include: over-the-counter pain relief like ibuprofen the contraceptive pill which can reduce heavy menstrual bleeding medication taken only during your period that can reduce heavy menstrual bleeding medicines that can shrink fibroids by lowering your oestrogen and progesterone levels in rare cases, surgery Your doctor will discuss these treatments with you and you can ask any questions that you might have. Fibroids andgetting pregnant If youre having difficulty getting pregnant, your doctor or specialist may suggest extra support or treatments that can help. Your doctor will discuss these with you and you can ask any questions that you might have. Source: Scottish Government - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 28 February 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Other languages and formats  |  | Polski |  |  | British Sign Language (BSL) | Easy Read  |  | Polski |  |  | British Sign Language (BSL) | Easy Read Add this page to\n            Info For Me Also on NHS inform Periods (menstruation) Self-help tool: Periods and mental wellbeing Other health sites NICE: heavy menstrual bleeding NICE: hysteroscopic morcellation of fibroids NICE: MRI-guided percutaneous laser ablation of fibroids NICE: MRI-guided transcutaneous ultrasound for fibroids NICE: uterine artery embolisation for fibroids Pelvic Pain Support Network British Fibroid Trust Fertility Network UK NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852"