Uterine Fibroids -Found in Women.

Overview
A uterine fibroid is a noncancerous growth in the wall of the uterus. A fibroid can be any size from microscopic to as large as a cantaloupe.



What is going on in the body?
Fibroids are firm, round lumps, made of muscle, that often occur in groups in the uterine wall. Fibroids usually grow very slowly in the wall of the uterus. They grow bigger in response to increased levels of estrogen, one of the female hormones.


Some conditions cause increased estrogen levels and thus contribute to the growth of fibroids. These conditions include:

• hormone replacement therapy for menopause
• oral contraceptives, or birth control *****
• pregnancy


After menopause, fibroids may shrink or disappear completely.

-Taken from the Diseases and Conditions Encyclopedia located at discoveryhealth.com