Uterine fibroids can have a major impact on a woman's quality of life and performance in work, new research has shown.

Fibroids are non-cancerous (benign) tumours found in or around the womb. They are made of fibrous tissue and muscle. Symptoms can include heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, backache and constipation.

The number of women affected is unclear because fibroids can be asymptomatic, however it is estimated that up to 80% of women have them by the age of 50.

"Many people are unaware that the vast majority of women will experience uterine fibroids in their lifetime and that this condition can cause significant morbidity for those who are symptomatic," explained Dr Elizabeth Stewart of the Mayo Clinic in the US.

She and her team carried out a survey of almost 1,000 women in an attempt ‘to better understand the experience and needs of women with fibroids'. All of the participants had been living with fibroids for an average of over eight years.

The survey looked at issues such as diagnosis, fertility, treatment and impact on work.

It found that one in three women waited at least five years before seeking treatment for the problem.

A majority of women expressed fears relating to their fibroids. Almost eight in 10 were afraid they would grow larger, while at least half of the women feared they would need a hysterectomy.

At least two in three expressed concern about having to miss days in work, while one in four felt that their symptoms were holding them back from reaching their full potential in work.

Other issues included fears relating to relationships, sex and body image.

While a hysterectomy is the only permanent solution for fibroids, there are a number of other treatments that can be considered, including medication and endometrial ablation, which uses heat to destroy the lining of the womb.

Not surprisingly, most of the women who took part in this survey said they would prefer minimally invasive treatment that preserves the womb.

Details of these findings were published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Journal of Women's Health.