One of the most common questions I hear in my clinic is: “Doctor, my ultrasound shows a fibroid. Do I need an operation?” The answer is often no . Fibroids are non-cancerous growths of the uterus and are extremely common. Many women live with fibroids for years without any problems. In such cases, surgery may not be necessary. When can a fibroid be left alone? Your fibroid can often be monitored rather than treated if: ✓ You have no symptoms Many fibroids are discovered incidentally during a routine health check or pregnancy scan. If you do not have: Heavy menstrual bleeding Severe period pain Pelvic pressure or discomfort Frequent urination due to pressure on the bladder Constipation due to pressure on the bowel then observation may be all that is needed. ✓ The fibroid is small Small fibroids that are not distorting the uterine cavity and are not causing symptoms usually do not require surgery. The size of the fibroid alone is not the deciding factor. A 3 cm ...