Uterine fibroids (myomas)

Last updated: 07 May 2026
Reviewed by: Specialist doctors from the Elfcare quality team

Have you noticed heavier periods, pelvic pressure, or frequent urination that seems unrelated to infection? These symptoms can sometimes be due to uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids, also called myomas, are benign growths in the uterine muscle, affecting up to 70% of women by age 50. While often asymptomatic, their size and location can cause heavy periods, pelvic pressure, or frequent urination.

Elfcare’s full body MRI provides the most accurate assessment of these growths, helping you understand your reproductive health early. A proactive awareness allows you to manage symptoms confidently and maintain long term hormonal and pelvic balance.

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What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are benign smooth muscle tumours arising from the uterine wall. They range from millimetres to many centimetres in size and may appear singly or in clusters. They are oestrogen- and progesterone-dependent, typically growing during the reproductive years and shrinking after menopause.

Fibroids are classified by location, which determines their clinical impact:

  • Intramural: located within the muscle wall; causes uterine enlargement, heavy bleeding, and pelvic pressure.

  • Submucosal: projects into the uterine cavity; frequently causes heavy bleeding and fertility or pregnancy complications.

  • Subserosal: projects outward from the uterine surface; can grow large and cause pressure on the bladder or bowel.

  • Pedunculated: attached to the uterus by a thin stalk; can be either subserosal or submucosal.

Symptoms of uterine fibroids

Many fibroids are entirely asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on imaging. When symptoms occur, their pattern reflects fibroid type and location:

  • Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding

  • Pelvic pain or pressure

  • Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder

  • Constipation or bloating

  • Back or leg discomfort

  • Anaemia or fatigue from chronic blood loss

  • Fertility challenges or pregnancy complications (in some cases)

What causes uterine fibroids?

  • Oestrogen and progesterone: main drivers of growth; fibroids are highly sensitive to these hormones.

  • Genetics: risk increases with family history and specific chromosomal patterns.

  • Ethnicity: significantly more common and severe in women of African descent.

  • Age and reproductive history: highest risk between ages 30–50 and for those who haven't given birth.

  • Obesity: excess body fat raises oestrogen levels, fueling fibroid development.

  • Vitamin D: deficiency is linked to larger fibroids; Vitamin D helps inhibit their growth.

How do you detect uterine fibroids?

Fibroid detection combines structural pelvic imaging with blood tests to assess the hormonal and nutritional environment.

Pelvic MRI: As the gold standard for assessment, MRI outperforms ultrasound in mapping multiple fibroids and distinguishing them from adenomyosis. It provides critical detail on submucosal involvement and can identify rare malignant features, such as rapid growth or central necrosis, that mimic benign growths. Elfcare’s full body MRI images the uterus and ovaries as standard, with targeted pelvic scans available for deeper investigation.

Blood tests: Our panel evaluates markers that drive fibroid growth or result from their symptoms:

  • Oestradiol and progesterone: primary hormonal drivers that guide treatment planning.

  • LH and FSH: assess reproductive status and the perimenopausal transition.

  • Iron, ferritin and haemoglobin: monitor for anaemia caused by heavy bleeding.

  • Vitamin D: low levels are linked to increased fibroid risk and growth.

  • TSH, Free T3, Free T4: rule out thyroid-related menstrual irregularities.

  • CRP: measures systemic inflammation that may fuel fibroid activity.

Why early detection matters

Many fibroids are asymptomatic until they are large or multiple. Early identification through MRI allows for monitoring before significant growth occurs, and for treatment planning before complications develop — particularly for women planning to conceive, where submucosal fibroid removal before pregnancy significantly improves outcomes. For women with heavy bleeding, early diagnosis enables treatment that prevents chronic anaemia and its wider health consequences. And for the rare case where imaging raises concern about malignancy, early detection is critical.

How Elfcare can help

Elfcare's full body MRI images the uterus directly, providing precise fibroid mapping including number, size, location, and endometrial relationship. This is the most clinically meaningful assessment available for fibroids, distinguishing them from adenomyosis, characterising submucosal involvement relevant to fertility, and identifying any features requiring further investigation to exclude malignancy.

Our blood panel covers the complete hormonal and nutritional profile relevant to fibroid management such as oestradiol, progesterone, thyroid function, and iron status.

If our MRI or blood tests identify a suspicious finding, we take care of further diagnostics or refer you to the appropriate specialist.

Book a consultation to learn more

Summary

Uterine fibroids are common, benign, and highly manageable when detected early. Elfcare’s pelvic MRI provides superior mapping compared to ultrasound, accurately identifying fibroid location, distinguishing them from adenomyosis, and screening for rare malignancies, while our blood panel evaluates the hormonal and nutritional markers that drive their growth. If an irregularity is found, your Elfcare doctor will manage further diagnostics or provide a direct specialist referral, empowering you to make informed choices that protect your long-term reproductive health and comfort.

Last updated: 07 May 2026
Reviewed by: Specialist doctors from the quality team at Elfcare

FAQ

  • Uterine fibroids are benign smooth muscle tumours arising from the uterine wall. They affect up to 70% of women by age 50 and are classified by location: intramural, submucosal, subserosal, and pedunculated. Most are asymptomatic, but submucosal fibroids in particular can cause heavy bleeding and affect fertility.

  • Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, urinary frequency, constipation, lower back pain, and fatigue from anaemia. Submucosal fibroids are most associated with fertility difficulties and recurrent pregnancy loss. Many fibroids cause no symptoms and are discovered incidentally on imaging.

  • Oestrogen and progesterone drive fibroid growth. They are rarely seen before puberty and shrink after menopause. Genetic predisposition, nulliparity, obesity, ethnicity, and vitamin D deficiency all contribute to risk.

  • Pelvic MRI is the gold standard, providing precise mapping of fibroid number, size, location, and endometrial involvement, while distinguishing fibroids from adenomyosis. Blood tests assess the hormonal and nutritional context. Ultrasound is commonly used as a first-line tool but is less accurate for multiple or deep fibroids.

  • Yes. Elfcare's full body MRI images the uterus directly and can identify fibroids, map their location and size, and distinguish them from adenomyosis. Our blood panel covers the key hormonal and nutritional markers. If a suspicious finding is made, we take care of further diagnostics or refer you to the appropriate specialist.

  • Yes. Management ranges from watchful waiting for asymptomatic fibroids to medical therapy (hormonal treatments to reduce size and bleeding), minimally invasive procedures (uterine artery embolisation, focused ultrasound ablation), and surgical options (myomectomy to preserve the uterus, or hysterectomy). Treatment choice depends on fibroid size, location, symptom severity, and fertility wishes. Early assessment through MRI ensures the most appropriate and least invasive approach is selected.