Uterine fibroids, or leiomyomas, are benign growths that can appear in any of the layers of the uterus (endometrium, myometrium, serosa). They are hormonally influenced and therefore occur in women of reproductive age. They can range in size from less than a centimeter up to 20 cm or more. Often, patients will have multiple fibroids at one time, but they can be solitary.

Incidence can be as high as 70% of women. Ultrasonography studies have shown that incidence is higher in Black than White women, and that they occur at an earlier age in Black women.

Fibroids are often asymptomatic and may be only first noted incidentally on imaging done for other reasons, but patients can also present with abnormal bleeding, infertility, increased pelvic or bladder pressure, urinary frequency, or rectal pressure.