Shining a Spotlight on Fibroids: A common but overlooked women's health issue

By Dr Safiya Rose-Hartwell, GP at Aneira Health

Fibroid Awareness Month may have ended inJuly, but the need for awareness continues for a condition that affects millions of women and often remains hidden behind silent suffering. Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb. They are common, but their effects on the body, emotions and daily life are often underestimated.

How common are fibroids?

Fibroids affect around one in three women, usually between the ages of 30 and 50. By age 50, around 70percent of women will have fibroids. For Black women, this number is even higher, with up to 80 percent affected. Despite this, many women are unaware they have fibroids until the symptoms begin to affect their lives.

Where do fibroids grow?

Fibroids can grow in different parts of the womb. Some grow deep in the muscle wall, some grow into the space inside the womb, and others grow on the outer surface. A few are attached by a stalk.These differences in location can influence whether a woman has symptoms and what those symptoms are.

In the early stages, fibroids might cause no symptoms at all. They may only be picked up during a routine scan or check-up. Over time, they can grow larger or press on nearby organs, and that’s when symptoms are more likely to appear.

What symptoms can fibroids cause?

Some women live with fibroids and don't even know they have them. But for many others, fibroids can cause:

Heavy or prolonged periods
Bloating or pressure in the lower tummy
Pain during or after sex
A frequent need to wee or constipation
Lower back pain
Difficulty getting pregnant or complications during pregnancy

These symptoms can affect your energy levels, your social life and even your confidence. And they can build up gradually, making it easy to dismiss them for months or even years.

How can fibroids affect your daily life?

Fibroids don’t just cause physical symptoms. They can lead to exhaustion, missed work and constant worry about bleeding or pain. Many women experience low mood, anxiety or frustration, especially if they feel dismissed or unsupported. Intimacy and relationships may also be affected, as ongoing symptoms begin to impact confidence and emotional closeness.

What about fertility and pregnancy?

Fibroids can sometimes make it harder to get pregnant, depending on where they are and how big they are. They can also increase the risk of miscarriage or lead to complications during pregnancy or delivery. However, not all fibroids cause these issues, and many women with fibroids go on to have healthy pregnancies.

The right approach depends on your symptoms, the size and location of the fibroids, and whether you're planning to have children in the future. Treatment options can include:

Medications to help with heavy bleeding and pain
Hormonal treatments, like the pill or coil, to help manage your periods
Medicines that can help shrink the fibroids
Procedures to remove or shrink fibroids, if needed

Everyone's situation is different, and the right option will depend on what matters most to you.

How Aneira Health can help

At Aneira Health, we offer personalised support for women with fibroids. You’ll have longer appointments, time to ask questions and a dedicated care coordinator who helps you every step of the way. You can also access up to 10follow-up consultations if needed. Whether you’re exploring a diagnosis or weighing up treatment options, our clinicians are here to listen and support you with care that works for your life.

Fibroids may be common, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with pain, disruption or unanswered questions. If something doesn’t feel right, you deserve to be heard. We’re here when you’re ready.