(Reuters) - AbbVie Inc said preliminary results from a mid-stage study showed that its experimental drug reduced heavy menstrual bleeding in women suffering from uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop on the wall of the uterus.

Women suffering from the condition often experience heavy menstrual bleeding and pain.

The company intends to begin a late-stage trial by the first quarter of 2016.

Hot flushes, headache, nausea and vomiting were some of the adverse events observed during the trial, the company said.

(Reporting by Amrutha Penumudi in Bengaluru; Editing by Don Sebastian)