Problemas de salud

Fibroids

Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026

Solo en inglés por ahora

Fibroids are common growths in or around the womb that are almost never cancer. Many cause no symptoms, but some lead to heavy or painful periods.

What fibroids are

Fibroids are growths made of muscle that develop in or around the womb (uterus). They are almost always non-cancerous: fewer than 1 in 1,000 is cancer. They can be as small as a seed or as big as a grapefruit, and you can have one or several. Fibroids are very common. Estimates suggest that 20% to 80% of women develop them by age 50. They mainly affect people who have not reached menopause, and they usually shrink afterwards.

Who is more likely to get them

Fibroids are most common in women in their 40s and early 50s. You are more likely to get them if your mother or another close relative had them. They are also more common in Black women and women from an Asian background. Being overweight is linked to a higher chance of fibroids too. Anyone with a womb can get them.

Symptoms

Many people with fibroids have no symptoms and do not know they have them. When fibroids do cause symptoms, these can include heavy or painful periods, tummy pain, lower back pain, and a feeling of fullness or swelling in the lower tummy. Some people need to pee more often or suddenly, or have trouble pooing. Others have pain or discomfort during sex. Heavy bleeding over time can lower your iron and lead to anaemia (too few healthy red blood cells).

Tests and medicines

A doctor may examine you and arrange an ultrasound scan. The scan shows the number, size and position of any fibroids. If fibroids are not causing symptoms, you may not need any treatment. For heavy or painful periods, painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help. Other options are a medicine called tranexamic acid, or hormonal medicines such as the combined pill or the hormonal IUD (coil).

Surgery and other procedures

Other options can shrink or remove fibroids. These include an operation to remove only the fibroids (myomectomy), a procedure that blocks the blood supply to the fibroids (uterine artery embolisation), and an operation to remove the womb (hysterectomy). Some of these treatments mean you cannot get pregnant afterwards, and others can make a later pregnancy riskier. If you may want children in the future, talk with your doctor about this before choosing a treatment.

When to see a doctor or nurse

See a doctor or nurse if you have heavy or painful periods, pain in your tummy or lower back, a frequent need to pee, or pain during sex. Heavy periods include changing a pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, or passing clots larger than about 2.5 cm. Tracking your bleeding in Ciclo can help you describe how heavy your periods are. Bleeding after menopause should always be checked by a doctor. Get emergency help if you have very heavy bleeding with dizziness or fainting, or sudden, severe pain in your tummy or pelvis.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If your periods are heavy or you have pelvic pain, talk to a doctor or nurse.