By EKalman March 24, 2025 - 3:55am

Uterine fibroids are a common gynecological condition that is surrounded by many myths. Due to a lack of reliable information, women are often confused and uncertain about treatment options. That's why it is essential to dispel myths about this condition. In this article, we have gathered the most common misconceptions about uterine fibroids to find out what is true and what is not.

Myth 1. Fibroids always develop into cancer
This is one of the most frightening myths. In fact, uterine fibroids are benign tumors that do not develop into malignant tumors in the vast majority of cases. Only in rare cases (about 0.1-0.5%) can a sarcoma develop. However, this is a separate condition and is not related to regular fibroids.

Myth 2. If you have fibroids, you should have your uterus removed.
Radical hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) is an extreme option that doctors only resort to in cases of large tumors, heavy bleeding, or life-threatening conditions. In most cases, uterine fibroids treatment includes medications, hormone therapy, or minimally invasive surgical techniques such as uterine artery embolization.

Myth 3.: Fibroids are caused by stress
Although stress can indeed negatively affect hormone levels, it is not the primary cause of fibroid development. Hormonal changes—elevated estrogen and progesterone levels, as well as a genetic predisposition—play the main role.

Myth 4. Fibroids make pregnancy impossible
Even though fibroids can affect reproductive health, they don't always lead to infertility. Much depends on the size and location of the nodes. For example, tumors that grow outward often don't interfere with conception. Complications can arise with submucous fibroids (those that grow inside the uterus), but these can often be resolved with minimally invasive surgery.

Myth 5. If there are no symptoms, fibroids can be left untreated
Fibroids don't always cause obvious symptoms - sometimes, they grow for years without causing pain or bleeding. However, this doesn't mean that it can be ignored. Even asymptomatic fibroids require regular pelvic exams by a gynecologist to detect possible growths or complications in time.

Myth 6. Fibroids are only in women over 40
Although the risk of developing fibroids increases with age, they can also occur in young women in their twenties and thirties. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body, heredity, and hormonal background. Regular gynecological exams can help detect fibroids at any age.

Myth 7. Sport and physical activity promote the growth of fibroids
Some people believe that exercising can contribute to fibroid growth. Moderate physical activity, on the contrary, helps maintain hormonal balance and improves blood circulation. However, if you have larger tumors or severe pain, you should definitely avoid exercises that place a lot of strain on your abdominal area.

Myth 8. Fibroids always grow and become huge over time
Fibroid growth varies from person to person. Some grow rapidly, while others don't change their size for years or even shrink, especially during menopausemenopause when estrogen levels drop. However, if a woman takes hormone therapy during menopause, fibroids can start growing again. That's why it is essential to visit a gynecologist for examinations at least once a year.

The bottom line
Misconceptions about fibroids cause women to be afraid of a diagnosis, postpone a visit to the doctor, or agree to unnecessary surgery. The more we know about our bodies, the easier it is to make informed decisions and choose the optimal treatment method.

If you have been diagnosed with fibroids, contact a skilled gynecologist, get examined, and discuss all treatment options. Modern medicine offers many effective and gentle ways to treat fibroids while maintaining quality of life and reproductive health.