Fibroids are noncancerous growths or tumours on the muscular part of the uterus (womb); sometimes they are also called myomas. Fibroids may be very small (about 5mm) or can grow to be quite large (about 100mm).  

Many women with fibroids do not notice any symptoms and will not need treatment, whereas others may experience problems such as painful and heavy periods, or even swelling of their abdomen and pressure on their bladder or bowel. Treatment includes medication to shrink the fibroids or surgical removal. If the fibroid is growing inside the cavity of the uterus this can be removed with a fine instrument (Versapoint bipolar diathermy) passed through a small telescope that goes through the cervix into the uterus (hysteroscopy). Once this has been done then other treatments for heavy periods such as Balloon Endometrial Ablation or the Mirena Intrauterine System are more effective. Larger fibroids in women who have completed their family may require a hysterectomy.