Uterine fibroids or leiomyomas are benign growths arising from the smooth muscle or the myometrium of the uterus. They range in sizes and numbers and can develop beneath the inside lining (endometrium) of the uterus (submucosal), within the myometrium layer (intramural) or beneath the outer surface (subserosal) of the uterus. Depending on the location, the sizes and the number of fibroids they may be asymptomatic or cause symptoms typically heavy and prolonged menstruation or pressure symptoms like frequency of urination or constipation. Asymptomatic small fibroids can be left alone while women who have bleeding or pressure symptoms or associated infertility may need surgery which could be by excision of the fibroids (myomectomy) if uterine conservation is required or removal of the uterus (hysterectomy), if keeping the uterus is not required.