Fibroids are non-cancerous growths made of muscle cells. Uterine fibroids (fibroids in or around the uterus) are the most common type of fibroids of the reproductive organs and can range in size, from a single cell all the way up to 20 or 30cm in size.

Fibroid symptoms depend on the size and location of the fibroids. Fibroids in the womb can cause heavy periods and difficulties falling pregnant. Fibroids on the outside of the womb can often cause pressure on the surrounding organs such as the bladder or bowel. Pressure symptoms occur when the fibroid 'presses' on the organs and changes the function, such as passing urine more frequently. Fibroids can cause pain, with some experiencing pain low in the pelvis or back pain.

Fibroids are genetic and predetermined. They grow in response to hormones and therefore normally start to shrink as a person goes through menopause. It is unclear which lifestyle factors affect whether someone will or will not develop fibroids, and more research is needed in this area.

If fibroids are causing you to have heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, or bloating symptoms we recommend you come for a discussion. There are plenty of treatment options that all our gynaecologists can offer to help improve your symptoms.

The most common tests used to diagnose fibroids are ultrasound and MRI scans. Before planning any surgery and to understand the best treatment option, it's important to establish how many fibroids there are, what size they are and where they are located.

Fibroids treatment commonly involves surgery, often called a myomectomy, to remove all of the fibroids. Fibroids are removed by either a hysteroscopy (vaginal approach), keyhole surgery (laparoscopic) or open surgery for removal of fibroids. Hysteroscopy is commonly used for smaller fibroids coming into the womb. Keyhole surgery is often used for a small number of fibroids in the muscle or out layer of the womb. Open fibroid surgery is reserved for situations where there are many fibroids or the size of fibroids are too large to manage safely with keyhole surgery.