Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids (also known as leiomyomas or myomas) are bundles of smooth muscle and connective tissue that can be as small as a pea or as large as a grapefruit. Uterine fibroids are typically slow-growing and non-cancerous. Around 30% of women over age 30 have at least one fibroid. Hysterectomies due to fibroids are the most common major surgery in women.
Uterine fibroids are classified according to their location, as follows:
• Submucosal (just under the lining of the uterus)
• Intramural (within the uterine muscle wall)
• Subserosal (just inside the outer wall of the uterus)
• Interligamentous (in the cervix between the two layers of the broad ligament)
• Pedunculated (on a stalk, either submucosal or subserous)
Symptoms
Uterine fibroids are classified according to their location, as follows:
• Submucosal (just under the lining of the uterus)
• Intramural (within the uterine muscle wall)
• Subserosal (just inside the outer wall of the uterus)
• Interligamentous (in the cervix between the two layers of the broad ligament)
• Pedunculated (on a stalk, either submucosal or subserous)
Symptoms
- Prolonged menstrual periods (7 days or longer)
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Bloating or fullness in the belly or pelvis
- Pain in the lower belly or pelvis
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
- Pain with intercourse
- Difficulty emptying your bladder
- Anemia due to increased blood loss
