By EKalman July 17, 2026 - 1:01am

Uterine fibroids are among the most common gynecological conditions in women of childbearing age. Despite this, numerous myths and misconceptions still surround this diagnosis. Due to misinformation, some women postpone seeing a doctor, refuse necessary treatments, or suffer from significant anxiety. In this article, we address eight of the most common myths about uterine fibroids.

1. Uterine fibroids always become malignant
This is one of the most common and frightening myths. In fact, uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate from the muscular wall of the uterus. The likelihood of fibroids becoming malignant is extremely low. Moreover, most specialists believe that uterine cancer and fibroids develop independently of each other.

However, this doesn’t mean that the condition should be ignored. Benign tumors can also grow and cause bleeding, pain, and other unpleasant symptoms. Therefore, regular visits to the gynecologist and pelvic ultrasound examinations are important.

2. Fibroids should be removed immediately after discovery
Many women believe that every discovered fibroid must be surgically removed immediately. However, this is not always the case. If the fibroid is small, causes no symptoms, and is not growing, the doctor may recommend monitoring.

In many cases, an examination and ultrasound once or twice a year are sufficient. The treatment decision is made on an individual basis and depends on the woman's age, the size of the fibroids, their growth rate, the severity of symptoms, and her desire to have children.

3. Fibroids only occur in older women
Although the risk of fibroids increases with age, they can also occur in younger women. Sometimes, fibroids are even discovered in patients as young as 25 or 30 during routine examinations. Therefore, regular visits to the gynecologist are important regardless of age. The earlier the condition is detected, the easier it is to choose the optimal monitoring or treatment strategy.

4. Fibroids always cause severe pain
Some women believe that fibroids are always accompanied by severe pain. In fact, many fibroids remain asymptomatic for a long time. The condition is often discovered incidentally during a routine ultrasound examination.

If symptoms occur, they can include heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen, frequent urination, pelvic pain, or discomfort during intercourse. However, the severity of the symptoms depends not only on the size of the fibroid but also on its location.

5. Fibroids disappear completely after menopause
After menopause, the level of female sex hormones decreases, so most fibroids stop growing or gradually shrink. However, this is not always the case. Some fibroids remain largely unchanged. If fibroids grow rapidly after menopause or if bleeding occurs, you should consult a doctor immediately. Therefore, regular checkups with your doctor are an important part of preventative healthcare, even after menstruation has ended.

6. Pregnancy is impossible with fibroids
This myth is particularly worrying for women who wish to have children. In fact, many patients with fibroids do become pregnant, give birth, and deliver vaginally. Only certain types of fibroids can reduce the likelihood of pregnancy or increase the risk of complications. Therefore, a gynecological examination before a planned pregnancy is important. If necessary, the doctor will decide whether fibroids need to be treated before conception.

7. The only treatment option is the removal of the uterus (hysterectomy)
This operation used to be quite common. However, modern medicine offers significantly more treatment options. Depending on the clinical situation, fibroid treatment can include medication, minimally invasive procedures such as uterine artery embolization, organ-preserving surgery to remove only the fibroids, or watchful waiting. A complete hysterectomy is generally only considered if other methods are ineffective or if there are serious medical indications.

8. Home remedies can completely cure fibroids
Countless recommendations for treating fibroids with herbs, tinctures, compresses, or various dietary supplements can be found online. However, there is no scientific evidence for the effectiveness of these methods.

If you rely solely on home remedies, the condition can progress without the necessary medical supervision. Self-medication is particularly dangerous in cases of rapidly growing fibroids, heavy bleeding, or severe anemia. Any additional treatment should be discussed with your doctor.