Myth 1: “If I Have Fibroids, I’ll Definitely Feel Pain”
For years, I assumed fibroids came with a neon sign: “Warning: Chronic Pain Ahead.” I’d spent months blaming every stomach ache on imaginary fibroids, convinced I was secretly suffering. Then my OB showed me a ultrasound of my uterus—there they were, two golf-ball-sized fibroids, sitting quietly like uninvited houseguests. “Most women don’t feel a thing,” she said.
Turns out, I’m not alone in this mix-up. Many clinics report that up to 70% of women with fibroids never experience symptoms ^^. The key? Location. Fibroids growing on the uterus’s outer wall (subserosal) often stay quiet, while those inside the uterine cavity (submucosal) might cause heavy periods or cramping. My “silent” fibroids? They’d been there for years, no drama required.
Myth 2: “Fibroids Mean I Can’t Have Kids”
When my sister was diagnosed with fibroids at 32, she spent weeks sobbing over “ruined” baby plans. I absorbed that fear, assuming any fibroid was a fertility death sentence. But my OB shook her head. “It’s not that simple,” she said, pulling up a study on her computer.
Reproductive specialists often note that fibroids rarely block pregnancy unless they’re in the uterine cavity, where they can interfere with implantation ^^. My sister, it turned out, had subserosal fibroids—perfectly safe for conception. She now has a 2-year-old. For women planning pregnancy with fibroids, options like myomectomy (fibroid removal) or targeted hormone therapy can help—no uterus sacrifice required.
Myth 3: “Surgery Is the Only Fix”
I’d visualized myself in a hospital gown, signing consent forms for a hysterectomy, before I even had a diagnosis. “I’m too young for this,” I groaned. My OB raised an eyebrow. “Surgery is one tool, not the only one.”
Today, clinics offer a range of gentler options. There’s uterine artery embolization (blocking blood flow to shrink fibroids), MRI-guided focused ultrasound (zapping fibroids with sound waves), and hormonal IUDs to ease bleeding. For women like me with small, symptom-free fibroids, “watchful waiting” might be enough. And if treatment is needed, many practices offer payment plans or financial assistance programs, with non-surgical options typically ranging from $3000–$5000 ^^.
Myth 4: “Fibroids Vanish After Menopause—No Worries!”
I’d heard menopause was the “fibroid cure,” figuring estrogen drop = growths shrink and disappear. “Not exactly,” my OB said. Fibroids do often shrink with lower estrogen, but they rarely vanish completely. “Think of them like old scar tissue—they might get smaller, but they’re still there.”
For post-menopausal women, monitoring is key. Rarely, fibroids can grow again, which is why annual check-ins matter. My mom, who ignored hers after menopause, ended up needing a minor procedure when one started causing discomfort. “Better safe than sorry,” my OB reminded me.
The Takeaway
My OB’s “laugh” wasn’t at me—it was at the chaos of misinformation out there. Fibroids are common (affecting up to 80% of women by 50, per many medical journals), but they’re rarely the crisis Google makes them out to be. The real solution? Ditch Dr. Google, grab your OB, and get the facts. Whether you need monitoring, meds, or a procedure, there’s a path that works for you.
After all, your uterus (and your peace of mind) deserve better than myths.
