Fibroids
Fibroids are benign tumours of the muscular wall of the uterus, and are made up of muscle and fibrous tissue. They are a common cause of heavy bleeding, since by their size they increase the surface area of the uterine lining which is lost at menstruation. They usually occur after the age of 30, and may be multiple and become very large. They are one of the causes of infertility, as they interfere with implantation of the embryo. While many may need no treatment, if the bleeding is unacceptable surgical removal may be necessary. Since these tumours increase in size as a result of the effect of oestrogen, they may be shrunk by using agents that inhibit oestrogen release in women for whom surgery is contraindicated. These agents do not, however, cause the fibroids to disappear completely.
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