Uterine fibroids are one of the most common reasons women in their 30s and 40s visit a gynaecologist. Many women in Vizag first hear the word only when an ultrasound report mentions a "fibroid" or "myoma", and it naturally brings worry. The good news is that fibroids are not cancer, and many never need any treatment at all.
In this guide you will find what fibroids are, the symptoms they can cause, how they are diagnosed, and the range of treatment options, so that you can have a clear and confident conversation with your doctor.
Quick answer: Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths of muscle in or on the womb. Many cause no symptoms, but some lead to heavy or painful periods, pelvic pressure, frequent urination or difficulty getting pregnant. They are found with an ultrasound scan, and treatment ranges from simple monitoring and medicines to keyhole or hysteroscopic surgery.
Fibroids (medical name: leiomyomas or myomas) are growths made of muscle and fibrous tissue that develop in the wall of the uterus. ACOG describes them as benign growths and notes that they are the most common type of growth found in the female pelvis.
Fibroids vary a great deal. A woman may have just one, or several. They can be as small as a seed or large enough to enlarge the womb. The NHS explains that fibroids are non-cancerous and that many women never know they have them.
Fibroids meaning, in simple words
Doctors describe fibroids by where they grow. The location matters more than the size for symptoms and for choosing treatment.
A fibroid that bulges into the cavity of the womb (submucosal) may be small yet cause heavy bleeding. A large fibroid on the outside of the womb (subserosal) may cause no bleeding problems at all, but press on the bladder. This is why two women with "a 4 cm fibroid" on their reports can have very different experiences.
Many fibroids are found by chance during a routine scan or a pregnancy ultrasound. When they do cause symptoms, the most common ones listed by the NHS are:
Heavy bleeding is easy to normalise. If you need to change pads every hour or two, plan your day around your period, or feel exhausted afterwards, it is worth getting checked. The NHS lists iron deficiency anaemia as one of the problems untreated heavy bleeding from fibroids can cause, and anaemia is already common among women in India.
The exact cause is not known. Fibroids are linked to the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which is why they tend to grow during the reproductive years and usually shrink after menopause. The NHS lists factors that make fibroids more likely, including:
Having one or more of these does not mean you will develop fibroids, and many women with fibroids have none of them. Nothing you ate or did "caused" your fibroid.
Diagnosis is usually simple and does not need a hospital stay.
The NHS notes that fibroids do not always need treatment. If yours cause no symptoms, your doctor may simply suggest periodic check-ups. When treatment is needed, the choice depends on your symptoms, the size and location of the fibroids, your age, and whether you would like to become pregnant in the future.
| Option | What it involves | Often considered when |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring | Regular check-ups and repeat scans | No or mild symptoms |
| Medicines | Painkillers, tranexamic acid, hormonal medicines or a hormonal IUD to reduce bleeding and pain | Heavy or painful periods; to prepare for surgery |
| Hysteroscopic removal | Fibroid removed from inside the womb with a thin telescope through the cervix | Submucosal fibroids causing bleeding or affecting fertility |
| Laparoscopic myomectomy | Keyhole surgery through small cuts to remove fibroids and keep the womb | Symptoms with a wish to keep the womb or plan pregnancy |
| Hysterectomy | Surgical removal of the womb | Family complete and symptoms not helped by other options |
| Other procedures | Uterine artery embolisation or endometrial ablation, in selected cases | Discussed case by case with a specialist |
Medicines can control heavy bleeding and pain, and some can temporarily shrink fibroids, for example before an operation. Hormonal medicines are usually short-term, and fibroids often grow back when they are stopped. Your doctor will explain the expected effects and side effects.
A myomectomy removes the fibroids but leaves the uterus in place, which matters if you hope to have children. Depending on the fibroid, it can be done by hysteroscopy (through the vagina and cervix), by laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) or by open surgery. Keyhole methods usually mean smaller scars and a quicker return to normal activity, though every operation has risks that your surgeon will discuss with you.
Removing the womb means fibroids cannot come back, but it ends the possibility of pregnancy. It is a big decision and is usually considered only when a woman does not want more children and other treatments have not helped. You are always entitled to take time and ask for a second opinion.
Key points so far
Most women with fibroids conceive and have healthy pregnancies. The NHS notes that being unable to have children or having miscarriages because of fibroids is rare. However, fibroids that change the shape of the womb cavity, especially submucosal ones, can sometimes make it harder to get pregnant or stay pregnant.
If you are trying to conceive and have been told you have fibroids, or if you are planning IVF, ask your doctor whether your fibroids are likely to matter. Fibroids are one of several conditions that can affect fertility, which we cover in our article on common female fertility disorders (padmasrihospitalsandivfcentre.com/common-female-fertility-disorders-and-their-treatments). During pregnancy, fibroids can sometimes grow and cause pain, so let your obstetrician know about them early.
Please see a gynaecologist if you have:
Seek medical help the same day for sudden severe pelvic pain or very heavy bleeding with dizziness.
At Padmasri Hospitals & IVF Centre in Akkayyapalem, Visakhapatnam, fibroids are evaluated and treated as part of our gynaecology services (padmasrihospitalsandivfcentre.com/gynecology/), which include diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy and laparoscopic surgery. You can read more about keyhole procedures for fibroids, ovarian cysts and endometriosis on our laparoscopic surgeries (padmasrihospitalsandivfcentre.com/laparoscopic_surgeries.php) page. Every option, including monitoring, is explained so that you can decide what suits you.
To get fibroids or heavy periods checked, call +91 80083 36677 or use our contact page. Padmasri Hospitals & IVF Centre, 49-48-16/5, NH16, NGGOS Colony, Akkayyapalem, Visakhapatnam 530016.
No. Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths of muscle tissue in the womb. They very rarely have anything to do with cancer, but any fast-growing lump or bleeding after menopause should be checked.
Fibroids usually stop growing and often shrink after menopause, when hormone levels fall. Before menopause they may stay the same size, grow slowly or occasionally shrink. Regular check-ups show how yours are behaving.
There is no single size cut-off. Treatment depends on your symptoms, where the fibroid is, your age and pregnancy plans. A small fibroid inside the womb cavity may need removal, while a larger one on the outside causing no symptoms may only need monitoring.
Yes, most women with fibroids can get pregnant. Fibroids that distort the inside of the womb can sometimes affect conception or pregnancy, so discuss your scan with a gynaecologist if you are planning a baby.
Common symptoms are heavy or long periods, period pain, a feeling of pressure in the lower tummy, passing urine often, constipation, lower back pain and pain during sex. Many women have no symptoms at all.
No. Many fibroids need no treatment. Medicines can control heavy bleeding and pain, and surgery is considered only when symptoms are troublesome or fertility may be affected.
Written by Padmasri Hospitals & IVF Centre Editorial Team · Updated 26 October 2026
This article is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified doctor.