They are made up of fibrous smooth muscle cells, which grow from the muscular womb lining. Generally fibroids do not cause problems and can remain undetected until they become larger and start to cause problems. When felt they are very firm. They can range in size from a pea to a melon. It is the size and location in the womb which may cause symptoms eventually.
Fibroids appear to be very common in African-Caribbean women.
This may be because African women s bodies cope less well with Western diets, which consist largely of food and drink high in saturated fats, meat and dairy products, which contain synthetic growth hormones. These stimulate the uterus and breast cells to reproduce. Normally these areas would grow only in response to naturally raised oestrogen levels i.e. in pregnancy or during the menstrual cycle. The excess oestrogen caused by diets, makes your body think it s preparing to implant an egg 28 days a month. The link between dairy products being high in synthetic oestrogen and abnormal behaviour in women s bodies is well documented.