Uterine fibroids are the most common benign gynaecological tumours. They are histologically composed of smooth muscle cells and sparse connective tissue, resembling normal myometrium. They are of monoclonal origin and their growth depends on estrogens and progesterone. Epidemiological data based on present studies reveal that cumulative incidence of uterine fibroids during childbearing age is 70% to 80%. Risk of developing fibroids increases with age up until menopause, with women of African descent having greater risk of developing fibroids. They usually regress in postmenopause and the symptoms abate. Although most women with fibroids are asymptomatic, those with clinically apparent myomas have significantly reduced quality of life. The most common presentations of uterine fibroids are menorraghia, pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, compressive symptoms originating from urinary or digestive tract and infertility. Diagnosis is based on clinical and ultrasound examination, although if findings are inconclusive, magnetic resonance imaging should be performed. Fibroids are classified based on their location in the uterine wall, into submucous, intramural and subserosal myomas, but cervical, intraligamentary and parasitic fibroids can be found as well. Submucous and intramural fibroids are associated with infertility. Even though there are pharmacological options, they provide temporary symptom alleviation and are useful as preoperative treatment. Therapy is based on tumour removal by myomectomy or hysterectomy. Newer, less invasive treatment methods are uterine artery embolization and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound.