Quick answer. Uterine fibroids are common, non-cancerous (benign) growths of the muscle of the womb. They are very common and often cause no symptoms, but when symptomatic they can cause heavy or prolonged periods, pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination, an enlarged lower abdomen and sometimes fertility or pregnancy problems. Many fibroids need no treatment (watchful waiting if you have no symptoms); when treatment is needed, options are matched to your symptoms, fibroid size and whether you wish to preserve fertility, and include medication, uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE), myomectomy (surgical removal that preserves the uterus) or hysterectomy (definitive, but ends fertility). Fibroid surgery is medically indicated, so it is MediSave-claimable and MediShield Life applicable for eligible Singaporeans and PRs. See a gynaecologist if you have heavy periods, pelvic pressure symptoms or signs of anaemia from heavy bleeding.
Uterine fibroids (also called myomas or leiomyomas) are among the most common gynaecological conditions in women of reproductive age. They are benign growths made of the muscle and connective tissue of the uterus, and most are harmless and symptomless. This guide explains what fibroids are, the symptoms to watch for, how they are diagnosed, the treatment options available in Singapore, and what they typically cost in public versus private settings, including MediSave and MediShield Life coverage.
At a glance
| Treatment | Best for | Typical cost / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Watchful waiting | No or minimal symptoms; fibroids monitored on scans | Consultation and scan costs only; often the right choice if asymptomatic |
| Medication (tranexamic acid, hormonal, GnRH analogues) | Controlling heavy bleeding or temporarily shrinking fibroids | Lowest cost; treats symptoms, does not remove fibroids; GnRH usually short-term |
| Uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE/UAE) | Symptomatic fibroids; women preferring a non-surgical, uterus-sparing option | Minimally invasive day/short-stay procedure by interventional radiologist; MediSave-claimable |
| Myomectomy (hysteroscopic / laparoscopic / open) | Removing fibroids while preserving the uterus and fertility | Public subsidised ~S$3,000-6,900; private ~S$23,000-32,000; MediSave-claimable (MOH benchmark) |
| Hysterectomy | Definitive treatment for women not seeking future fertility | Public subsidised ~S$2,500-7,500; private ~S$23,000-34,000; ends fertility; MediSave-claimable (MOH benchmark) |
What uterine fibroids are
Fibroids are non-cancerous (benign) growths made up of the muscle and connective-tissue cells of the uterus. They can occur singly or in multiples, and may grow inside the wall of the womb, on its outer surface, or projecting into the womb cavity. Fibroids are very common – they develop in a large proportion of women, but only a minority ever cause symptoms.
Because most fibroids are benign and many cause no problems at all, having a fibroid does not automatically mean you need treatment. The decision to treat depends on whether you have symptoms, the size and location of the fibroids, and your plans for fertility.
Symptoms and when to see a doctor
Many women with fibroids have no symptoms and the fibroids are found incidentally on a scan. When symptoms do occur, common ones include:
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, sometimes with clots
- Pelvic pressure, heaviness or pain in the lower abdomen
- Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder (from pressure on the bladder)
- A noticeably enlarged or swollen lower abdomen
- Pain during intercourse, constipation or backache from pressure
- Sometimes difficulty conceiving or pregnancy complications
See a gynaecologist if you have heavy or prolonged periods, troublesome pelvic pressure symptoms, or signs of anaemia from heavy bleeding (such as tiredness, breathlessness or paleness). Heavy menstrual bleeding over time can lead to iron-deficiency anaemia, which is treatable but should be assessed.
How fibroids are diagnosed
Diagnosis usually starts with a discussion of your symptoms and a pelvic examination. An ultrasound scan – either through the abdomen or transvaginally – is the main test used to confirm the presence, number, size and location of fibroids. In some cases, particularly when planning surgery or when the picture is unclear, an MRI scan may be done to map the fibroids more precisely. Blood tests may be done to check for anaemia if bleeding has been heavy.
Treatment options
Treatment is matched to your symptoms, the size and location of the fibroids, and whether you wish to keep your fertility. Options range from doing nothing to surgery.
- Watchful waiting: If you have no symptoms, no treatment is usually needed. Fibroids are simply monitored over time, and they often shrink after menopause.
- Medication: Medicines treat symptoms rather than remove fibroids. Tranexamic acid reduces heavy menstrual bleeding and is taken during periods. Hormonal treatments such as the combined pill or a hormonal intrauterine system (IUS) can help control bleeding. GnRH analogues can temporarily shrink fibroids and stop periods, but are usually used only short-term (commonly around three months), often before surgery, because they cause menopause-like side effects.
- Uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE/UAE): A minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure done by an interventional radiologist. Through a small puncture in the groin or wrist, tiny particles are injected to block the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink over the following months. It is usually a short hospital stay with recovery in one to two weeks.
- Myomectomy: Surgical removal of the fibroids while preserving the uterus – an option for women who wish to keep their fertility. It can be done by hysteroscopy (through the cervix, for fibroids inside the cavity), by laparoscopy (keyhole), or by open surgery, depending on the size, number and location of fibroids.
- Hysterectomy: Removal of the whole uterus. This is the only definitive treatment that prevents fibroids from recurring, but it ends fertility, so it is generally reserved for women who have completed their family or have severe symptoms.
Even after successful myomectomy, new fibroids can grow over time, with a recurrence risk of roughly 15-30% over 10 years.
Cost in Singapore and MediSave coverage
Fibroid surgery is medically indicated, so for eligible Singaporeans and Permanent Residents it is claimable under MediSave, and inpatient bills can be offset by MediShield Life or an Integrated Shield Plan, subject to limits. Public-hospital bills are also subsidised in the lower ward classes.
According to Ministry of Health (MOH) bill benchmarks, a myomectomy in a subsidised public ward typically costs in the region of about S$3,000 to S$6,900, rising to roughly S$11,500 to S$16,300 in unsubsidised public wards, and about S$23,000 to S$32,000 in private hospitals. A hysterectomy shows similar ranges – roughly S$2,500 to S$7,500 in subsidised public wards, around S$10,000 to S$14,000 in unsubsidised public wards, and about S$23,000 to S$34,000 privately. These are typical total bill ranges before insurance and MediSave payouts and can vary with fibroid number, size and surgical complexity.
Always ask your hospital or specialist for a personalised cost estimate and confirm your MediSave and insurance coverage before proceeding.
Who treats fibroids
Uterine fibroids are managed by a gynaecologist (obstetrics & gynaecology specialist), who will assess your symptoms, arrange scans and recommend a treatment plan. Uterine fibroid embolisation is performed by an interventional radiologist, usually in coordination with your gynaecologist. A GP referral is a good first step and, for Singaporeans and PRs, can also help reduce the cost of specialist consultation.
Related guides
- Best Gynaecology Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
- gynaecology clinics directory
- Menopause & HRT
- PCOS treatment
- Endometriosis treatment
Sources
- SingHealth – Fibroids of the uterus
- SingHealth/SGH – Uterine Fibroid Embolisation (UFE)
- MOH – Fee benchmark & bill information: Myomectomy (SI815U)
- MOH – Fee benchmark & bill information: Hysterectomy (SI713U)
- MOH – Hospital Bills and Fee Benchmarks
See also
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