Fibroids of the uterus are also referred to as leiomyomas, uterine myomas or simply myomas. The term fibroids indicates the abnormality principally involves the connective tissue responsible for forming fibrous tissue. Actually fibromas develop from smooth muscle cells.

Fibroids remain the most common tumor of the female genital tract affecting between 20-80% of adult women. Generally these benign tumors fail to cause symptoms with many only the size of a grain of sand or a pea. An estimated 20%-35% of women complain of symptoms that may interfere with the quality of life.

Most women with symptomatic disease have multiple fibroids. Interestingly in an individual some of the lesions may remain static in size while others grow and still others shrink. Some grow to the size of a tennis ball or even larger. Lesions enlarge during pregnancy and shrink afterward as the hormone levels regress. After the menopause fibroids tend to shrink and sometimes calcify.

Symptoms associated with fibroids include abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure and localized pain. Excessive bleeding during menstruation or between periods is the most frequent complaint. Fibroids rarely interfere with fertility but depending on their location may cause problems during pregnancy.

Fibroids routinely appear in women troubled by endometriosis. At times differentiating between the two conditions may pose a diagnostic dilemma.

Treatment for fibroids depends on the level of distress. For many women the lesions remain small and pose no threat; therapy can be omitted. Troublesome fibroids may be treated with a wide array of medical or surgical interventions including hysterectomy.

A new drug combines the active agent in Orilissa with the hormones present in oral contraceptives and will be marketed as Orianne. It was approved by the FDA at the end of May, 2020 and will reach pharmacies beginning in August or September. Recently other members of this drug class were discovered to cause liver issues.