Benign tumours of the uterus composed of smooth muscle and fibrous connective tissue

They are very common, affecting 40-60% of women in later reproductive years. They are oestrogen sensitive, meaning they grow in response to oestrogen.

Range in size - seedlings to large uterine tumours

Gross description - Round, firm, well circumscribed nodules. Can be:

• Subserosal (just under the uterine serosa)
• Intramural (within the myometrium) - most common site
• Submucosal (Just below the endometrium)
• Pedunculated (on a stalk)

Risk factors:

• Increased patient weight
• Age in 40s
• Black ethnicity
• Vitamin D deficiency

PC

Most commonly asymptomatic

• Mennorhagia and prolonged mestruation (>7 days)
• Pelvic pain and dysmenorrhoea
• Pelvic presure
• Dyspareunia