All topics

Uterine Fibroids

Published on July 10, 2025 at 4:00 / Updated on July 24, 2025 at 8:01

Uterine fibroids are very common non-cancerous growths. They usually grow within the muscle wall of the uterus, or on the outer surface of the uterus. They can grow alone or in clusters. They can vary in size from a pea to a grapefruit or even larger.

Causes and triggers

The exact cause is unknown. Uterine fibroids sometimes grow in response to elevated female hormone levels, but they generally reduce after menopause as hormone levels drop.

Other risk factors have been identified, such as:

  • Having experienced your first period at a young age
  • Being of African descent
  • Having a family history of uterine fibroids
  • Being overweight

Symptoms

Symptoms associated with fibroids depend on their size, their number and their location. The most common symptoms include:

  • Increasingly heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Pain in the lower abdomen
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen
  • Increased abdominal volume causing bloating
  • Constipation
  • Increase in urinary frequency or difficulty to urinate

Most women who have fibroids do not experience any complications. However, some may develop anemia.

Uterine fibroids usually do not prevent pregnancy. However, when fibroids develop inside the uterus, they may interfere with the pregnancy and cause miscarriage.

Treatment

Women with no symptoms do not generally require treatment. A follow-up is recommended to observe the fibroids evolution. In some cases, medication can be used to reduce the symptoms (bleeding, anemia, pain), or reduce hormone levels. Procedures are available to remove fibroids without opening the abdominal wall. Surgery is generally considered in case of major complications or severe symptoms.

Women with one or several of the above-mentioned symptoms should consult with their health care professional so that the necessary examinations can be performed, and to ensure that the appropriate follow-up is carried out.

  • Similar articles in the topic Fibromes

    Abnormal vaginal bleeding

    As soon as she enters puberty, a woman is subject to several physiological and hormonal changes. Periods are the main reason for vaginal bleeding; from the very first menstrual cycle to menopause. However, a variety of conditions can influence the nature, frequency and amount of bleeding, sometimes causing abnormal vaginal bleeding. While some heavy bleeding may be harmless, bleeding deemed abnormal is worth checking into. Here you will find all the information relating to the definition, symptoms, causes and treatments of abnormal vaginal bleeding, and more.

    Read article
The drugs and pharmaceutical services featured on the familiprix.com website are offered by pharmacists who own the affiliated pharmacies at Familiprix. The information contained on the familiprix.com site is for informational purposes only and does not in any way replace the advice and advice of your pharmacist or any other health professional. Always consult a health professional before taking or discontinuing medication or making any other decision. Familiprix inc. and the proprietary pharmacists affiliated with Familiprix do not engage in any way by making this information available on this website.