Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that grow on the wall of the uterus. Up to 20% of all women will develop uterine fibroids.
These fibroids can get to be quite large and can cause difficulties with menstruation as well as urinary and bowel complications. Sexual intercourse can become painful. Pelvic pain and swelling of the abdomen are common.
"No one is sure why women develop fibroids, which affect 40% of women over 35 years in the U.S. and have a high rate of incidence among African Americans. There is a possible link between uterine fibroid tumors and estrogen production."
Uterine fibroids often lead to hysterectomy which removes the uterus, and myomectomy, which removes only the fibroids. Another treatment is embolization, which requires a small incision, and essentially starves the fibroids.
The Fibroid Treatment Collective (FTC) headed up by Dr. Bruce McLucas, have put together a list of Top Ten Fibroid Facts.
http://www.highlighthealth.com/resources/top-10-facts-women-should-know-about-fibroids