benign, hormone-sensitive uterine neoplasms.

classified as:

• submucosal (beneath the endometrium)
• intramural (within the muscular uterine wall of the uterus)
• subserosal (beneath the peritoneum)

can occur within the uterine corpus or the cervix.

Demographics

Age: 25–45 years (25% women aged 30)

• Fibroids are largely found in women of reproductive age.
• Influenced by hormones (i.e., estrogen, growth hormone, and progesterone)
• During menopause, hormone levels begin to decrease and leiomyomas begin to shrink.

Aetiology / Risk factors

• Nulliparity
• Early menarche (<10 years of age)
• Obesity
• Family history

Pathophysiology