Fibroids grow in or around the womb (uterus) and are called tumours because they are solid masses, not because they are cancerous. In fact, almost all fibroids are benign. The growths are made up of muscle and fibrous tissue that develop in the muscle layers of female uterine wand can vary in size. Fibroids are sometimes known as uterine myomas or fibromyomas

Fibroids usually develop during a woman’s reproductive years - from approximately 16 to 50 years of age – and as such treating and shrinking fibroids is important. Fibroids are common, with at least one in four women developing them at some stage in their life. They most often occur in women who are from 30 to 50 years old. Overall, nearly half of all women develop fibroids by the time they are age 40. Fibroids rarely occur before the age 20 and tend to shrink after menopause

The causes of fibroids remains the subject of research but genetics is an important factor; the condition being more common in African Caribbean women. They are linked to the production of oestrogen, which is the female reproductive hormone and it is thought that they occur in heavier women as a result of higher oestrogen levels.

The tumours seem to respond to changes in levels of the hormone oestrogen. During high levels of estrogens, such as during pregnancy or while a woman is taking oral contraceptives, fibroids grow. Other factors that appear to make a woman more prone to developing fibroids include obesity, alcohol use, a high-fat diet and vitamin B deficiency.

While many fibroids never cause problems, some do, and getting the right treatment for them is important. Fibroids can sometimes cause symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding between periods, a sensation of heaviness in the pelvis, frequent urination, sudden severe cramps, or infertility. The excessive bleeding that some fibroids cause may lead to fatigue and anaemia and getting a cure for fibroids can help alleviate some of these symptoms.

In terms of fertility, fibroids may prevent pregnancy by blocking the pathway of sperm or preventing implantation of an embryo. Treating fibroids is crucial as during pregnancy fibroids can increase the chance of miscarriage or heavy postpartum bleeding. A large fibroid may obstruct delivery or interfere with uterine contractions.

Treatments for fibroids can vary from surgery to remove fibroids to natural treatments that can shrink fibroids. Some people chose not have any treatment in instances where the symptoms do not interfere with their quality of life, however, everyone is different and appropriate medical care should be sought.