Understanding Fibroids & Your Treatment Choices
Fibroids are common — up to 70% of women develop them by age 50. Knowing what type you have shapes every treatment choice.
Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are non-cancerous growths of the muscular wall of the uterus. They rarely become cancerous, but they can quietly reshape daily life — heavier periods, pelvic pressure, urinary frequency, fertility difficulty. The good news is that today's minimally invasive tools mean surgery is usually smaller, gentler and faster to recover from than most women imagine.
The three types of fibroids that matter
Where a fibroid sits inside the uterus is more important than its size. Submucosal fibroids grow into the uterine cavity and are the ones most likely to cause heavy bleeding and fertility problems — they are often removed hysteroscopically through the cervix with no incisions at all.
Intramural fibroids live in the muscle wall itself. When they distort the cavity or grow larger than 4–5cm they usually justify a laparoscopic myomectomy — removing the fibroid while carefully reconstructing the uterus so future pregnancy remains safe.
Subserosal fibroids grow outward from the outer surface. They cause pressure and bulk symptoms rather than bleeding, and are almost always suitable for keyhole removal.
Symptoms worth taking seriously
Heavy or prolonged bleeding, pelvic pressure, back pain, urinary frequency, painful intercourse and difficulty conceiving are the classic patterns. Fatigue from unnoticed iron loss is one of the most under-diagnosed symptoms — many women adjust to feeling tired for years before recognising fibroids as the cause.
Choosing between treatments
The right treatment depends on your symptoms, fertility goals, fibroid map and stage of life. Watchful waiting is genuinely appropriate for small, non-growing fibroids. Medical therapy can shrink fibroids temporarily or thin the uterine lining to reduce bleeding. When surgery is right, laparoscopic myomectomy preserves the uterus, hysteroscopic resection removes cavity fibroids without incisions, and laparoscopic hysterectomy is a definitive option for women who have completed their family.
What Prof. Parkar's fibroid consultation typically includes
- Detailed symptom history and fertility discussion
- High-resolution pelvic ultrasound and, when indicated, MRI
- A written fibroid map showing type, size and location
- Clear treatment options with expected recovery times and costs
Common questions
No. Many fibroids are small, asymptomatic and stable, and simply need monitoring. Surgery is reserved for fibroids causing symptoms, growing quickly or affecting fertility.
Yes — laparoscopic myomectomy is specifically designed to preserve fertility. Prof. Parkar reconstructs the uterus in layers so that future pregnancy is safe.
Book a consultation with Prof. Parkar
A private, unhurried appointment to review your history and design a plan that fits your life.