They are usually diagnosed on physical examination. They may be subserosal , intramucosal , or submucosal in location. The cause of fibroids is unknown. Hormonal influence is significant. Estrogen, in particular, stimulates growth.
Fibroids have the potential to enlarge during pregnancy, as well as to regress after menopause.
Fibroids are the most common gynecological tumor in women. Symptoms vary greatly. Some women are fortunate to be completely asymptomatic but their fibroids are usually very insignificant in size. Fibroids are frequently diagnosed on the basis of clinical findings of an enlarged, irregularly shaped uterus on pelvic exam. This is confirmed most commonly by ultrasound, less frequently by CT scan.