With the month of July slowly coming to an end, so is my focus on some of the most common female-related diseases. Our second from last post is dedicated to this benign, hormone-sensitive smooth muscle tumor of the uterus which is the most common tumor of the female genital tract, (sorry Dad if I got this last bit wrong). The exact cause of uterine fibroids is unclear. Predisposing factors are; Nulliparity (having never carried a pregnancy beyond 20 weeks of gestation (point of viability)).Early menarche (onset of Aunt Flo) below the age of 10Age 25-45 (they are largely found in women of reproductive age)Increased incidence in African (black women have a higher incidence of leiomyomas, more symptomatic fibroids, earlier presentation, and increased severity of disease)ObesityFamily history They are influenced by hormones (i.e. estrogen, progesterone, and the growth hormone). During menopause, there is a decrease in hormone levels which directly results in the shrinking of leiomyomas. Leiomyomas commonly known as fibroids are classified according to their location within the uterus: Subserosal leiomyoma: localized in the outer uterine wall beneath the peritoneal surface. These may be sessile or pedunculated and grow out of the uterine wall. Subserosal fibroids may also attach themselves to neighbouring adjacent abdominal structures such as the bowel.Intramural leiomyoma: this is the most common type and it grows from…