Female Causes

Fibroid tumors which are also called myomas or leiomyomas are benign noncancerous smooth muscle growths that develop in or on the uterus. They are not cancer and don’t turn into cancer. The can grow on the walls of the uterus and inside the uterus. Fibroids that develop inside the cavity of the uterus can interfere with pregnancy causing changes to the endometrial tissue or by hindering the fertilized egg from attaching to your uterine wall. If they are on the outside of the cavity, they can impact pregnancy by compressing or blocking the fallopian tubes or making it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg.

The severity of symptoms of fibroids will vary dependent upon the number size and location of the fibroids. They are the most common tumor in women and usually don’t cause any problems. You may experience painful, heavy or irregular menses. Painful cramps is a common symptom of fibroids. Some people may have difficulty moving their bowels or urinating if the fibroids put pressure on your rectum or bladder. If they impact the endometrium it can cause heavy and irregular periods.

The cause of uterine fibroids is unknown, but they require estrogen to grow. They often shrink after menopause, when estrogen levels decrease. Each fibroid is thought to be an independent event, so if a fibroid is removed, it wont come back, but a new one might develop.