Uterine Fibroids are non cancerous growths found in different parts of your womb, made up of muscle and fibrous tissue. The clinical name for Fibroids is uterine myomas or leiomyomas.

Fibroids mainly affect women who have not been through the menopause. Anyone with a womb can get them.

Symptoms of fibroids  

Depending on the size and location of your fibroids, symptoms vary. They do not always need to be treated, but can be if they’re causing problems. The most common symptoms are;

• Heavy periods or painful periods

• Tummy (abdominal) pain

• Lower back pain

• Needing to wee regularly

• Finding it difficult to poo (constipation) 

• Pain or discomfort during sex

• Tiredness from low iron (anaemia) 

If you are experiencing the above symptoms but have not yet spoken to a doctor, we strongly urge you to seek medical advice. We exist to help women diagnosed with fibroids manage their symptoms, we are not a clinical body and cannot give medical advice.

How big are uterine fibroids 

Fibroids can be as small as a seed or in rare cases as large as a watermelon. Size doesn’t always indicate scale of symptoms, sometimes smaller fibroids can cause as many issues as large ones.

Types of uterine fibroids

There are 4 different types of fibroids, depending on which ones you have, your symptoms may differ. 

Intramural Fibroids

• Location: These are the most common type and grow embedded right inside the muscular wall of your womb.

• Symptoms: They can make your womb larger and cause heavy bleeding or pain in your lower tummy area.

Submucosal Fibroids

• Location: They grow just under the inner lining of your womb. They may poke into the hollow space inside your womb.

• Symptoms: These fibroids are the most likely to cause very heavy, prolonged menstrual bleeding and can cause problems getting pregnant.

Subserosal Fibroids

• Location: This type grows on the outer surface of your womb. They can grow quite large and expand into your lower belly.

• Symptoms: They may press on nearby organs like your bladder or back passage (rectum), leading to symptoms related to peeing or pooing.

Pedunculated Fibroids

• Location: This is the least common type. They attach to your womb with a thin stem or stalk, which is why they are often described as mushroom-like.

• Symptoms: The stalk can sometimes twist, which causes severe pain.

For more information on Fibroid symptoms and treatment, visit NHS England