Fibroids are benign (that is, non-cancerous) tumors of the uterus. The medical term for fibroids is leiomyoma or myoma. They grow from the muscle cells of the uterus and may protrude from the inside or outside surface of the uterus or they may be contained within the muscular wall.
Types of fibroids
- Submucous fibroid: A fibroid which grows just under the uterine lining.
- Intracavitary fibroid: A fibroid which grows inside the uterine cavity.
- Intramural fibroid: A fibroid which grows in the muscular wall of the uterus.
- Subserosal fibroid: A fibroid which grows just mainly on the outer surface of the uterus.
- Pedunculated fibroid: A fibroid which is attached to the uterus by a thin “stalk”.
Fibroids are very common. About 25 percent of women in their childbearing years will have signs of fibroids that can be detected by a pelvic examination, although not all will experience symptoms.
Fibroids can range in number and size from a single growth to multiple growths, and from very small to large. Research has also shown that as many as 70% to 80% of all women will have fibroids by age 50.
Source: Nordica Blog
