What are fibroids?

By Teen Health Source

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are a fairly common condition where tumors  made out of muscles grow in or on the uterus. They are almost always non-cancerous and can vary in size, from undetectable tiny seedlings to large masses that can actually affect the shape or position of a uterus.  

Uterine fibroids are also known as leiomyomas or myomas. They can be painful, but the severity, type, and location of the pain,  can vary a lot. They can also put pressure on surrounding organs which can cause pain or other issues like chronic inflammation, or cause the uterus to contract more forcefully during menstruation resulting in more painful cramps. 

Fibroids often go under-diagnosed because the symptoms tend to mirror so many other issues, or because it may be dismissed as typical menstrual pain. We’ll talk through some possible symptoms to look out for, how or why fibroids form, and what sort of treatment options are available!

What are some commonly reported symptoms of fibroids? 

Uterine fibroids can cause a range of symptoms, though most people with fibroids may not experience any symptoms at all. Some common symptoms include: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What causes fibroids?

The exact cause of uterine fibroids is not fully understood. Certain factors like genetics, vitamin D deficiency, and increased estrogen and progesterone levels have been linked to fibroids’ growth, however. People with a family history of fibroids are more likely to develop them, so it may be a good idea to ask family members that were born with uteruses if this is something they’ve experienced. Estrogen and progesterone are hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle and thicken your uterine lining (endometrium), but sometimes people can have hormonal imbalances that cause fibroids. Fibroids also have more estrogen and progesterone receptors, making them highly responsive to these hormones, which means they can easily change size, shape, or severity depending on hormone levels.

Although there is no real way to prevent uterine fibroids, getting regular pelvic examinations can help with early detection and diagnosis, which can lead to starting treatment if necessary to prevent them from growing in number or size. 

What are the different types of uterine fibroids? 

• Intracavitary fibroids: grow within the uterine cavity 
• Intramural fibroids: grow within the muscular wall of the uterus; the most common type 
• Subserosal fibroids: grow on the outside of the uterus; can become quite large 
• Submucosal fibroids: grow within the uterine cavity below the inside layer of the uterus; can cause heavy bleeding
• Pedunculated fibroids: growth attached to the uterine wall by a thin stalk of tissues; can grow inside or outside the uterus 

How does the diagnosis process work? 

Fibroids can be pretty tricky to diagnose on your own, but that doesn’t mean they should be ruled out if you’re experiencing symptoms. The only way to know for sure you have fibroids is by seeing a healthcare provider that can perform a test to confirm:

• Pelvic exams involve a physician physically examining your pelvic area, including your vagina. They may be looking for any irregularities including a change in the shape of your uterus, or severe or unusual pain.
• Ultrasounds use soundwaves that bounce off of tissue in the body, those waves are read by a machine that creates an image that can be assessed by a physician.
• MRIs are a type of exam that use magnetic fields to create an image, sort of like ultrasounds but without sound waves or x-rays but without radiation.

How are fibroids treated? 

Most people with uterine fibroids do not have any symptoms and do not need treatment. Symptomatic fibroids that are causing pain and discomfort may require treatment, however. Several treatment options may be suggested by your physician. It’s important to be up honest about your symptoms, including pain levels so that your physician can best know how to treat you.

• Medication: If you have mild symptoms, pain management medication or birth control pills may be suggested or prescribed by your physician to treat mild pain and help control heavy bleeding. 

• Surgery: If you have more severe symptoms, your physician may suggest surgical removal of fibroids called myomectomy. This is commonly performed for people who have fibroids that may potentially cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. 

What are some other potential complications?

While most cases of fibroids won’t cause issues for the person with them, in some cases they can lead to other complications that can be fairly serious, so if something is feeling off it’s important you see a doctor to figure it out as soon as you can. Some complications related to fibroids include:

• Severe pain or heavy bleeding that requires surgery 
• Anemia (not having enough red blood cells) due to heavy bleeding 
• Infertility 
• Urinary tract infections as the fibroid may put pressure on the bladder, making it difficult to empty the bladder fully

Healthcare Tips 

Remember you deserve to have a healthcare professional who listens to your concerns about potential uterine fibroids seriously. If you’re finding that’s not happening, you may have to advocate for yourself a bit. If your doctor is being dismissive or refusing to look into the cause of your symptoms, you may want to look for another doctor, seek a specialist, or visit a women’s health clinic (they are often gender inclusive and focus on treating people with uteruses). 

Trust your understanding of your body; if your pain is interfering with your daily life, it’s a good idea to seek treatment and manage your pain. 

Further Reading

• Mayo Clinic — Uterine fibroids
• Teen Health Source — Endometriosis 
• Endocrine Society — Elevated Testosterone Levels May Raise Risk of Uterine Fibroids 

If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact one of our peer educators. [Link]

Last Edited: August 2025