Uterine Fibroids: Symptoms, Treatment, and Can They Affect Pregnancy?

Many women hear about uterine fibroids for the first time during a routine health check-up, fertility evaluation, or pregnancy scan. If you’ve recently been told that you have fibroids, it’s completely normal to have questions and concerns.

As a specialist who has managed complex fibroid cases for over 20 years, Dr. K. Shilpi Reddy, Clinical Director of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at KIMS Cuddles, Kondapur, Hyderabad, regularly reassures her patients: fibroids are very common and are usually non-cancerous. While some women never experience any problems, others may notice symptoms such as heavy periods, pelvic pain, or difficulty getting pregnant.

The effect of fibroids can vary from woman to woman, depending on their size, number, and location. Let’s understand what uterine fibroids are, the symptoms they can cause, what makes them grow, and whether they can affect pregnancy.

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are growths that develop in or around the uterus. They are made up of muscle and tissue and are almost always non-cancerous.

Fibroids can be very small and go unnoticed, or they can grow larger over time. Some women have only one fibroid, while others may have several. They are most commonly seen in women during their childbearing years and often become less of a concern after menopause.

Many women may have fibroids without even knowing it because they do not always cause symptoms. However, when fibroids become larger or are located in certain areas of the uterus, they may lead to discomfort and other health concerns.

Uterine Fibroids Symptoms: Signs You Should Not Ignore

Not every woman with fibroids experiences symptoms. In fact, many fibroids are found accidentally during an ultrasound. When symptoms do occur, the most common uterine fibroids symptoms include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Periods that last longer than usual
• Painful periods
• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen
• Frequent need to urinate
• Constipation
• Lower back pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Difficulty conceiving in some cases

Heavy bleeding over a long period can also lead to low iron levels in the body, making women feel tired, weak, or dizzy.

If your periods are affecting your daily life or you are experiencing ongoing pelvic discomfort, Dr. K. Shilpi Reddy advises that you should not delay seeking expert opinion. Early diagnosis allows for a far wider range of treatment options, including fertility-preserving approaches.

What Causes Uterine Fibroids to Grow?

One of the most common questions women ask is: what causes uterine fibroids to grow? While the exact reason is not fully known, doctors believe that several factors can play a role.

Hormones

Female hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, are thought to encourage fibroid growth. This is one reason why fibroids are more common during the reproductive years and may shrink after menopause.

Family History

Fibroids often run in families. If your mother, sister, or close relatives had fibroids, you may have a higher chance of developing them as well.

Pregnancy

Hormone levels naturally increase during pregnancy. Because of this, some fibroids may grow during pregnancy, while others remain the same size or even become smaller.

Being Overweight

Studies suggest that women who are overweight may have a higher risk of developing fibroids.

Lifestyle Factors

Lack of regular exercise and unhealthy eating habits may also contribute to the growth of fibroids in some women.

Although these factors may increase the risk, every woman is different. Some women develop fibroids without having any known risk factors.

Can Uterine Fibroids Affect Pregnancy?

This is a concern for many women who are planning to become mothers. The reassuring news is that most women with fibroids have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. However, in some cases, fibroids may increase the chances of certain pregnancy-related problems.

During Pregnancy

Large fibroids or multiple fibroids may sometimes:

• Reduce the space available for the baby inside the uterus
• Affect the position of the baby before delivery
• Increase the chances of preterm labour
• Cause abdominal pain if the fibroid outgrows its blood supply
• Affect the placement of the placenta

Your doctor may recommend additional ultrasound scans during pregnancy to monitor both the baby and the fibroids.

During Delivery

Depending on their size and location, fibroids may occasionally make labour more challenging. For example, they may:

• Block the birth canal
• Increase the likelihood of a caesarean section (C-section)
• Cause the uterus to contract less effectively after delivery

Even with these possibilities, many women with fibroids are still able to have a normal vaginal delivery. Dr. K. Shilpi Reddy is one of Hyderabad’s foremost specialists in high-risk pregnancy management and is widely recognised for her outstanding success in achieving normal deliveries even in complicated cases — including VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean), with over 150 successful VBACs to her name.

Uterine Fibroids Treatment: What Are the Options?

The right uterine fibroids treatment depends on several factors, including your symptoms, age, fibroid size, and future pregnancy plans.

At KIMS Cuddles, Dr. K. Shilpi Reddy takes a highly individualised approach to fibroid treatment — always factoring in whether the patient wishes to have children in the future and choosing the least invasive approach that achieves the best outcome.

Medications

For mild symptoms, your doctor may recommend medicines to help control pain, reduce heavy bleeding, and improve iron levels if anaemia is present.

Myomectomy (Fibroid Removal Surgery)

A myomectomy is a surgery that removes fibroids while keeping the uterus intact. This is often the preferred option for women who wish to have children in the future. Dr. Shilpi Reddy performs laparoscopic and robotic myomectomy — minimally invasive techniques that mean smaller incisions, less blood loss, lower risk of complications, and a faster return to daily life. Her advanced training at BEAMS Mumbai under the guidance of Dr. Rakesh Sinha makes her one of the most skilled fibroid surgeons in Hyderabad.

Uterine Fibroid Embolisation (UFE)

This is a minimally invasive procedure that cuts off the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink over time.

Vascular Occlusion Techniques

We also offer advanced vascular surgery procedures that go a step further. These techniques involve identifying and occluding (blocking) the specific blood vessels that feed the fibroid. We use specialised agents including silicon gel and glue occlusions to precisely seal off these feeding vessels, causing the fibroids to shrink naturally over time — without removing the uterus.

This approach is particularly valuable for women who wish to preserve their fertility and avoid open surgery, offering a highly targeted, minimally invasive alternative with excellent outcomes.

Radiofrequency Ablation

This treatment uses heat to shrink fibroids and usually involves a shorter recovery period compared to traditional surgery.

Hysterectomy

For women with severe symptoms who do not plan to have children in the future, removing the uterus may provide a permanent solution. Dr. Shilpi Reddy performs Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH) and LAVH with exceptional surgical precision.

When Should You See a Doctor?

You should not ignore symptoms such as heavy periods, pelvic pain, frequent urination, or difficulty getting pregnant. Early diagnosis can help prevent complications and allow you to explore the best treatment options.

If you are planning a pregnancy and know that you have fibroids, Dr. K. Shilpi Reddy strongly recommends consulting a specialist before conception. A simple check-up and ultrasound can help assess whether the fibroids are likely to affect your pregnancy — and if needed, a fertility-preserving myomectomy can be planned well in advance.

Conclusion

Uterine fibroids are common, and in most cases, they are not dangerous. However, they can sometimes cause symptoms that affect your daily life, fertility, or pregnancy.

Understanding what uterine fibroids are, recognising uterine fibroids symptoms, and knowing what causes uterine fibroids to grow can help you take the right steps toward better health. With timely diagnosis and the right uterine fibroids treatment, most women can successfully manage fibroids and enjoy a healthy pregnancy.

If you have concerns about fibroids, heavy periods, or fertility, Dr. K. Shilpi Reddy is here to help. With over 20 years of clinical experience, fellowship-level surgical expertise, and a genuine commitment to every patient’s wellbeing, she is widely regarded as one of the most trusted gynaecologists in Hyderabad for fibroid diagnosis and treatment.

About the Author

Dr. K. Shilpi Reddy is the Clinical Director of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at KIMS Cuddles, Kondapur, Hyderabad. With 20+ years of experience, she specialises in high-risk pregnancy, VBAC, laparoscopic & robotic gynaecological surgery, fertility management, and fibroid treatment.

She holds a DNB in Obstetrics & Gynaecology and fellowships in laparoscopic surgery (BEAMS Mumbai) and infertility (Oasis Centre, Hyderabad). She is also an author, social activist, and founder of the Dr. K. Shilpi Reddy Foundation for Women’s Empowerment.

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