Uterine fibroid, hysteroscopic view. Uterine fibroids are benign tumours in the smooth muscle of the uterus, known as leiomyomata. They can cause menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding), anaemia and infertility. This fibroid (upper right) is submucosal, growing just beneath the inner lining of the uterus. It can be removed either by surgical myomectomy or by myolysis, which uses a laser.