Painful and heavy periods are present in approximately one third of women with this condition. Other signals of fibroids include pressure or pelvic pain and the sensation of a mass. Diagnostic tools such as pelvic exams, pelvic ultrasound, hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy, or laparoscopy can diagnose fibroids.

The cause of uterine fibroids is unclear, however there is evidence that estrogen is required for their growth. Estrogen is a female hormone that helps regulate the menstrual cycle and high levels have been known to stimulate the growth of fibroids.

Surgical treatments such as hysteroscopy, laparoscopy and myomectomy are often used to treat fibroids. Your physician may also prescribe drug therapies based on your case and your goals of therapy.