Key takeaways
- Intramural fibroids: The most common type, these grow within the muscular wall of the womb.
- Subserosal fibroids: These form on the outside of the womb and can grow quite large.
- Submucosal fibroids: These grow from the muscle wall into the cavity of the womb and are most likely to cause heavy bleeding and fertility problems.
- Pedunculated fibroids: These are attached to the womb by a stalk-like stem.
- Age: They are most common in women in their 30s, 40s, and early 50s. They tend to shrink after the menopause.
As an FCA-authorised expert that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr explains fibroids and how private medical insurance in the UK can provide faster access to diagnosis and treatment for new conditions. This guide explores your options for navigating this common health concern through private healthcare.
WeCovr explains fibroids and private healthcare treatment options
Fibroids are a common condition affecting millions of women in the UK, yet understanding the treatment pathway can often feel overwhelming. While the NHS provides excellent care, long waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment can lead many to consider private healthcare options.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about fibroids, from symptoms and diagnosis to the full range of treatments available privately. We'll also explain the crucial role of private medical insurance (PMI) and how it works, particularly concerning conditions like fibroids.
What Exactly Are Fibroids?
In simple terms, fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb (uterus). These growths are made up of muscle and fibrous tissue and can vary significantly in size, from as small as a pea to as large as a melon.
You might also hear them referred to by their medical names: uterine myomas or leiomyomas. It's important to remember that they are almost always benign (not cancerous). Less than 1 in 1,000 cases involve a cancerous fibroid.
There are several types of fibroids, classified by their location:
- Intramural fibroids: The most common type, these grow within the muscular wall of the womb.
- Subserosal fibroids: These form on the outside of the womb and can grow quite large.
- Submucosal fibroids: These grow from the muscle wall into the cavity of the womb and are most likely to cause heavy bleeding and fertility problems.
- Pedunculated fibroids: These are attached to the womb by a stalk-like stem.
How Common Are Fibroids in the UK?
Fibroids are very common, although many women are unaware they have them because they have no symptoms. According to the NHS, around 1 in 3 women develop fibroids at some point in their life, most often between the ages of 30 and 50.
Several factors can increase your risk of developing fibroids:
- Age: They are most common in women in their 30s, 40s, and early 50s. They tend to shrink after the menopause.
- Ethnicity: For reasons not yet fully understood, fibroids are more common in women of African-Caribbean origin. They may also develop them at a younger age and have larger or more numerous fibroids.
- Weight: Being overweight or obese increases your risk, as fat cells produce more oestrogen, which can encourage fibroid growth.
- Family History: If your mother or sister had fibroids, you have a higher chance of developing them.
- Childbearing: Never having been pregnant is associated with a higher risk.
Recognising the Symptoms of Fibroids
While many women have no symptoms, others can experience issues that significantly impact their quality of life. The symptoms depend on the size, location, and number of fibroids.
Common signs include:
- Heavy and/or prolonged periods (menorrhagia): This is the most common symptom. You might need to change sanitary products very frequently or pass large blood clots.
- Painful periods: Abdominal cramps can be severe.
- Tummy (abdominal) pain or a feeling of fullness: Larger fibroids can cause a noticeable swelling or pressure in the lower abdomen.
- Lower back pain: Fibroids pressing on muscles and nerves in the back can cause a persistent ache.
- A frequent need to urinate: Caused by fibroids pressing on the bladder.
- Constipation: Caused by fibroids pressing on the bowel.
- Pain or discomfort during sex.
- Fertility problems: In some cases, fibroids can interfere with conception or increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as miscarriage.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's essential to see your GP for an accurate diagnosis.
Diagnosing Fibroids: The NHS vs. Private Pathway
Getting a diagnosis is the first step towards treatment. Here’s how the process typically compares between the NHS and private healthcare.
| Feature | NHS Pathway | Private Healthcare Pathway (with PMI or Self-Pay) |
|---|---|---|
| First Step | Appointment with your GP. | Appointment with your GP (for an open referral) or direct access to a private GP/specialist. |
| Referral | GP refers you to an NHS gynaecologist. | GP or private GP provides a referral to a private consultant of your choice. |
| Waiting Time (Consultant) | Weeks or months. The NHS target is 18 weeks from referral to treatment, but this can vary. | Days or within a week. |
| Diagnostic Tests | Further waiting for an appointment for an ultrasound, MRI, or hysteroscopy. | Tests are often performed on the same day as the consultation or within a few days. |
| Choice of Specialist | You are usually assigned to the next available specialist at your local hospital. | You can choose your consultant and hospital from your insurer's approved network. |
| Overall Time to Diagnosis | Can take several months from the initial GP visit. | Can be completed in as little as one to two weeks. |
The main advantage of the private route is speed. Bypassing lengthy waiting lists means you get a diagnosis and a treatment plan much faster, which can provide immense peace of mind and a quicker resolution to your symptoms.
A Critical Point: Private Insurance and Pre-existing Conditions
This is the most important section for anyone considering private medical insurance for fibroids. Standard UK PMI policies are designed to cover acute conditions that arise after your policy begins. They do not cover chronic or pre-existing conditions.
- Pre-existing Condition: This is any disease, illness, or injury for which you have experienced symptoms, received medication, advice, or treatment in the years before taking out the policy (usually the last 5 years).
- Chronic Condition: This is a condition that is long-lasting, has no known cure, and requires ongoing management, like diabetes, asthma, or in many cases, fibroids.
What does this mean for fibroids?
If you have already been diagnosed with fibroids or have had symptoms that a doctor has investigated, a new private medical insurance policy will not cover treatment for them. The condition will be listed as a pre-existing exclusion.
There are two main types of underwriting (the process an insurer uses to assess your health risk) that affect this:
- Moratorium Underwriting: This is the most common type. Any pre-existing condition from the last 5 years is automatically excluded. However, if you go for a set period (usually 2 continuous years) after your policy starts without any symptoms, treatment, or advice for that condition, the insurer might start covering it in the future. For a condition like fibroids which often requires ongoing symptom management, this is unlikely to happen.
- Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): You declare your full medical history on an application form. The insurer will review it and explicitly exclude fibroids (and any other pre-existing conditions) from your cover from day one.
The key takeaway: You cannot buy a new health insurance policy to cover a health issue you already have. The value of PMI is in having it in place before you get ill, to cover new, unforeseen acute conditions.
Private Treatment Options for Fibroids
If you have private medical insurance that covers fibroids (i.e., the policy was in place long before symptoms appeared) or if you choose to pay for treatment yourself (self-pay), you gain access to a wide array of advanced options.
Here’s a breakdown of the main treatments available privately.
1. Medication to Manage Symptoms
Medication is often the first line of treatment, especially if symptoms are mild. The goal is to reduce heavy bleeding and pain.
- Tranexamic Acid: Non-hormonal tablets that reduce bleeding by helping your blood to clot.
- Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs): Such as ibuprofen or mefenamic acid, which can help reduce pain.
- The Contraceptive Pill or Hormonal IUS (e.g., Mirena coil): These can make periods lighter and less painful.
- Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists: These medications put you into a temporary, reversible menopause, stopping your periods and shrinking the fibroids. They are usually only used for a short time (3-6 months) to prepare for surgery, as they can cause side effects like hot flushes and bone thinning.
2. Non-Invasive Procedures
These innovative treatments destroy fibroids without the need for surgical cuts.
-
Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE):
- What it is: A minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. A tiny catheter is guided through a blood vessel in your leg to the arteries supplying the fibroids. Tiny particles are then injected to block these arteries, cutting off the blood supply.
- The result: The fibroids starve, shrink, and die over the following months.
- Best for: Women with symptomatic fibroids who do not wish to get pregnant in the future, although pregnancy is sometimes possible after UAE.
- Recovery: A one-night hospital stay and about 1-2 weeks of recovery at home.
-
MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS):
- What it is: A completely non-invasive, cutting-edge technique. You lie inside an MRI scanner that pinpoints the exact location of the fibroid. High-intensity ultrasound waves are then focused on the fibroid to heat and destroy the tissue without harming the surrounding area.
- Best for: Women with fewer, specific types of fibroids who want to preserve their uterus.
- Recovery: A day procedure with a very quick recovery, often just a day or two. Availability is still limited in the UK.
3. Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
These "keyhole" surgeries offer effective fibroid removal with faster recovery times than traditional open surgery.
-
Myomectomy (Removal of Fibroids): This surgery removes the fibroids while leaving the uterus intact, making it the preferred option for women who want to have children.
- Hysteroscopic Myomectomy: Used for submucosal fibroids (those inside the womb cavity). A thin, telescope-like instrument (hysteroscope) is passed through the vagina and cervix into the womb. A special tool is then used to shave away the fibroids. It's a day-case procedure with a recovery of a few days to a week.
- Laparoscopic or Robotic Myomectomy: Used for intramural or subserosal fibroids. The surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen and uses a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera) and specialised instruments to remove the fibroids. Robotic surgery uses a console to control robotic arms for enhanced precision. This usually requires a 1-2 night hospital stay and a 2-4 week recovery.
4. Major Surgical Procedures
- Hysterectomy (Removal of the Womb):
- What it is: The surgical removal of the uterus. This is the only treatment that guarantees fibroids will not return.
- When it's considered: It's a major operation reserved for women with severe symptoms, large or numerous fibroids, and who have completed their family or do not wish to have children.
- Types: It can be performed laparoscopically (keyhole), vaginally, or as a traditional open abdominal surgery. Recovery time varies from 2 to 8 weeks depending on the method.
Summary of Private Treatment Options
| Treatment | Type | Purpose | Best Suited For | Typical Private Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medication | Non-Surgical | Symptom management (pain/bleeding) | Mild to moderate symptoms. | N/A |
| UAE | Non-Invasive | Shrinks fibroids by blocking blood flow. | Women who do not want future pregnancy. | 1-2 weeks |
| MRgFUS | Non-Invasive | Destroys fibroid tissue with ultrasound. | Women wanting a non-invasive, uterus-sparing option. | 1-2 days |
| Hysteroscopic Myomectomy | Minimally Invasive | Removes fibroids inside the womb cavity. | Women who want to preserve fertility. | 1 week |
| Laparoscopic Myomectomy | Minimally Invasive | Removes fibroids in/on the womb wall via keyhole. | Women who want to preserve fertility. | 2-4 weeks |
| Hysterectomy | Major Surgery | Removes the entire womb. | Women with severe symptoms not wanting future pregnancy. | 4-8 weeks |
How Much Does Private Fibroid Treatment Cost in the UK?
If you don't have private medical insurance covering the condition, you will need to self-fund your treatment. Costs can vary widely depending on the hospital, the consultant, and the specific procedure. The prices below are estimates to give you a general idea.
| Procedure / Service | Estimated Self-Pay Cost Range (UK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Gynaecology Consultation | £250 - £400 | Does not include tests. |
| Pelvic Ultrasound Scan | £300 - £500 | Often the first diagnostic test required. |
| MRI Scan | £700 - £1,500 | Provides more detailed images of the fibroids. |
| Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE) | £8,000 - £12,000 | Includes hospital stay, consultant and radiologist fees. |
| Laparoscopic Myomectomy | £7,000 - £11,000 | Price depends on complexity and length of hospital stay. |
| Hysteroscopic Myomectomy | £4,000 - £7,000 | Usually a day-case procedure. |
| Abdominal Hysterectomy | £9,000 - £15,000 | Traditional open surgery with a longer hospital stay. |
These "package prices" offered by private hospitals usually include the surgeon's fees, anaesthetist fees, hospital stay, nursing care, and one follow-up appointment. Always confirm exactly what is included before proceeding.
How a PMI Broker Can Help You Find the Best Cover
Navigating the world of private health cover can be complex. An expert broker, like WeCovr, simplifies the process and provides invaluable support at no extra cost to you.
Here’s how we help:
- Market Comparison: We compare policies from all the leading UK PMI providers to find the right fit for your needs and budget.
- Expert Advice: We explain the jargon and the fine print, ensuring you understand exactly what is and isn’t covered, especially concerning underwriting and exclusions.
- Tailored Policies: We help you choose the right level of cover, whether you want a comprehensive policy or a more basic plan focused on diagnostics and surgery.
- Ongoing Support: We are here to help you not just when you buy, but also if you need to make a claim in the future.
By using a broker, you get impartial, expert advice that empowers you to make the best decision for your future health.
Lifestyle and Wellness Tips for Managing Fibroid Symptoms
While medical treatment is key, certain lifestyle adjustments may help manage symptoms and improve your overall well-being.
- Diet and Nutrition: Some research suggests a link between diet and oestrogen levels, which can influence fibroid growth. Consider a diet rich in:
- Fibre: From fruit, vegetables, and whole grains to aid digestion and help prevent constipation.
- Green vegetables: Like broccoli, spinach, and kale.
- Lean protein: Such as fish and poultry over red and processed meats. As a WeCovr customer, you also get complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, to help you stay on track with your health goals.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Losing excess weight can help reduce oestrogen levels and may lower your risk of developing fibroids or help manage their growth.
- Regular Exercise: Gentle to moderate activity like walking, swimming, or yoga can help with pain, reduce stress, and contribute to weight management. Avoid excessively strenuous abdominal exercises if they cause you pain.
- Stress Management: Chronic stress can impact your hormonal balance. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and ensuring you get enough quality sleep can make a real difference to your overall health.
- Travel Tips: If you suffer from heavy periods, plan ahead for travel. Pack extra sanitary supplies, pain relief, and dark-coloured clothing. Use a period-tracking app to anticipate your cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will my new private medical insurance policy cover my existing fibroids?
Can I still get private medical insurance if I have fibroids?
What is the main benefit of going private for fibroid diagnosis and treatment?
What's the difference between a myomectomy and a hysterectomy?
Take Control of Your Health with WeCovr
Whether you're exploring private treatment for the first time or want to secure your future health with the right insurance policy, getting expert advice is crucial. At WeCovr, we provide clear, impartial guidance to help you navigate your options. Our service is completely free, and we enjoy high customer satisfaction ratings for our professional and friendly approach.
Protect yourself against future health worries and ensure you have fast access to the best care when you need it most. Plus, when you purchase a PMI or Life Insurance policy through us, you can enjoy discounts on other types of cover.
Get your free, no-obligation quote from a WeCovr expert today and secure your peace of mind.
