Uterine fibroids are common benign tumors of the uterus. They are made up of the same tissue as the uterus itself. They are three to five times more common in African-American women than in women of other racial groups. Many women with fibroids have no symptoms, but about 30 percent will experience abnormal bleeding or symptoms of pelvic pressure, as well as pressure on the bladder or rectum. ...more

November 22, 2008

Women, listen up: More gym time could mean less hassle at your next gynecologist appointment. Compared with women who fit in less than two hours of physical activity a week, if you work out an hour each day (that includes walking time), it could cut your risk of uterine fibroids by 40 percent. That's pretty significant, since fibroids cause trouble in about 25 percent of premenopausal women. (As many as 75 percent of women have these growths, but they don't all cause problems.) ...more

September 6, 2008