Fibroids are benign growths of the womb muscle.  Fibroids are extremely common: at least 50% of women have them.  Fibroids can be small or can grow extremely large.  They may be located within the cavity of the womb, in the muscle wall or on the outside of the womb.  This determines what problems they cause and how they can be removed. Fibroids can cause:

• Heavy Periods or period pain
• Abdominal or Pelvic pain
• Painful intercourse
• Bladder problems (when the fibroids press on the bladder)
• Back pain
• Constipation
• Problems with fertility

Fibroids may be removed by:

• Hysteroscopy: If the fibroid lies inside the womb cavity (transcervical resection of fibroids or TCRF).  This is a day case operation.
• Laparoscopy: Small fibroids can be removed by keyhole surgery (laparoscopic myomectomy).
• Laparotomy: Either a bikini line cut or in some cases a midline cut to remove very large fibroids.  This involves a stay in hospital of 2-3 days and 4 to 6 weeks of recovery. This operation is called an open myomectomy.
• Very large or numerous fibroids may necessitate a hysterectomy operation.