A uterine fibroid tumor is a noncancerous growth that develops in the uterus. It is also called a fibromyoma, myoma or leiomyoma and typically occurs during a woman's childbearing years. The Mayo Clinic website notes that three out of four women have this problem.
Symptoms
Uterine fibroids usually cause no symptoms. However, MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, reports that the most common symptoms of this condition are heavy menstrual bleeding, longer periods, sensations of fullness in the abdomen, pain during periods and intercourse, and bleeding between periods.
Causes
The cause of uterine fibroids is currently unknown. However, progesterone and estrogen---hormones that prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy---seem to promote the growth of fibroids. MedlinePlus explains that fibroids will probably continue to grow as long as a woman is menstruating.
Treatment
If no symptoms are associated with a fibroid tumor, then its growth is monitored by ultrasound and pelvic exams. Other treatments for this problem aim to reduce heavy bleeding and pain during periods and manage symptoms of anemia caused by heavy bleeding. Surgery can also be used to treat this condition.
