Uterine fibroids are far more common than many women realise and can significantly affect fertility, menstrual health, and overall quality of life, according to Dr Padi Ayertey, obstetrician-gynaecologist and Medical Director at Elimmas Health.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show, Dr Ayertey described fibroids as non-cancerous growths that develop in the muscle of the uterus and elaborated on their causes and effects.

“A uterine fibroid is a non-cancerous growth. It starts in the muscle of the uterus,” he said. “Everybody calls it fibroid, so we call it ‘fibros’.”

He explained that fibroids originate when certain uterine cells resist the body’s natural hormonal controls.

“One cell decides, ‘I’m not going to be controlled anymore.’ It divides into two, then four, then eight — and keeps growing. It starts smaller than a pin and can eventually become bigger than my head.”

Pregnancy as Natural Protection

Dr Ayertey noted that pregnancy and breastfeeding offer a form of natural protection against fibroids due to the hormonal changes they induce.

“The uterus takes a break from those hormones during pregnancy. After delivery and while breastfeeding, prolactin levels stay high, offering further protection. That’s why pregnancy becomes very protective against uterine fibroids.”

Fibroids, Polyps and Cysts – What’s the Difference?

He also addressed common misconceptions by distinguishing fibroids from polyps and cysts.

“Polyps are soft growths in the cavity of the uterus, where the baby sits. If a polyp or fibroid is in that space, it acts like a tenant in a one-bedroom apartment. So when the pregnancy comes, it says, ‘There’s already someone here,’ and it can’t stay.”

Cysts, he clarified, are typically fluid-filled and found outside the uterus, most often on the ovaries. Some can even contain fat, hair, or bone.

Symptoms Can Vary Widely

Dr Ayertey explained that symptoms differ depending on the fibroid’s location:

Inside the uterine cavity: may cause infertility, cramping, and heavy bleeding.

Within the uterine wall (muscle): may create pressure that affects fertility.

Outside the uterus: may press against other organs, leading to constipation or frequent urination.

“Your bladder, which should be big, becomes small because the fibroid is pressing on it,” he said. “You find yourself urinating every few minutes, not just a little, a moderate amount.”

He also warned that abdominal bloating isn’t always caused by fat.

“A lot of you have got big tummies. It is fat, not fibroid. But for some people, that mass could actually be a fibroid, and it can grow really big.”

How to Identify and Manage Fibroids

The most common signs, according to Dr Ayertey, include:

Heavy menstrual bleeding

Difficulty conceiving

Abdominal swelling

“For most people, it’s heavy bleeding. Others come because they’re not getting pregnant. Some just see their tummy getting bigger.”

When it comes to treatment, he said there are both medical and surgical options available:

“There are medical options to keep fibroids calm, but they usually aren’t long-term solutions. If the fibroid is very big on the outside, surgery to cut and remove it might be needed. But if it’s small and causing bleeding, doctors can now remove it through the vagina without any cuts — that’s what people are doing these days.”

A Silent Burden With Serious Risks

Dr Ayertey cautioned that untreated fibroids can lead to serious complications — including severe blood loss, anaemia, and reduced productivity.

“Some women can’t function for five days every month. They bleed so heavily, they have to wear diapers instead of sanitary pads.”

“People have died because of excessive bleeding,” he added.

As awareness increases, Dr Ayertey stressed the importance of early diagnosis and regular gynaecological check-ups to detect and manage fibroids before they become life-threatening.