Gynecology · Uterine health
Uterine Fibroids in Gangnam, Seoul: Monitoring, Treatment and Referral
Uterine fibroids (myomas) are non-cancerous growths of muscle tissue in the wall of the uterus, and they can cause heavy or long periods, pelvic pressure and frequent urination, although many cause no symptoms at all. At Hommage Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, OB/GYN specialist Dr. Park Yuna maps fibroids with ultrasound and advises whether to monitor, treat with medication or refer you for a procedure.
Quick answer
Uterine fibroid treatment depends on your symptoms, not just the size of the fibroids: many fibroids only need monitoring with ultrasound every 6–12 months. At Hommage Women's Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, female OB/GYN specialist Dr. Park Yuna maps fibroids with same-day ultrasound, treats heavy bleeding and anemia with medication such as tranexamic acid, iron or a hormonal option, and refers you to a hospital for myomectomy, embolization or other procedures when they are the better choice.
Key takeaways
- Fibroids are benign and extremely common; most women with them never need surgery.
- Where a fibroid sits matters more than its size: fibroids inside the cavity cause the most bleeding.
- Heavy bleeding and anemia can usually be controlled with medication while you decide on next steps.
- If you want a future pregnancy, tell your doctor early, because it changes which procedures are suitable.
Infographic
Uterine fibroids in numbers
White women
Cumulative fibroid incidence by the late 40s in a US ultrasound study.
Black women
Cumulative incidence in the same study of 1,364 women.
Monitoring scans
Usual interval for fibroids that cause no symptoms.
By position
Submucosal, intramural and subserosal fibroids.
Satisfied after UAE or surgery
Similar satisfaction up to 2 years in a Cochrane review.
Assessment
Consultation, ultrasound and blood test together.
Uterine fibroids at a glance
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| What it is | Benign growths of uterine muscle; very common in women in their 30s and 40s |
| Common signs | Heavy or long periods, anemia, pelvic pressure, frequent urination; often no symptoms |
| How it's diagnosed | Pelvic ultrasound; blood test for anemia; MRI at a hospital for planning surgery |
| Treatment options | Monitoring, iron, tranexamic acid, hormonal IUD or pill, referral for surgery or UAE |
| Follow-up | Usually an ultrasound every 6–12 months, sooner if symptoms change |
| Reviewed by | Dr. Park Yuna, OB/GYN specialist |
Book a fibroid assessment if you have
- Periods that soak through pads or tampons every 1–2 hours or last more than 7 days
- Tiredness, dizziness or low iron that may be linked to heavy bleeding
- A feeling of pressure, bloating or a firm lump in the lower abdomen
- Needing to urinate often, or constipation, without another explanation
- Fibroids found on a previous scan that need follow-up
Seek urgent care instead if you have
- Very heavy bleeding with dizziness, fainting or shortness of breath
- Sudden, severe pelvic pain with fever or vomiting
- Heavy bleeding or pain during pregnancy
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas or myomas, are benign tumors made of smooth muscle and fibrous tissue that grow from the wall of the uterus. They are extremely common: by age 50, a large proportion of women have at least one, although many never know it. Fibroids are almost never cancerous.
Fibroids are described by where they grow, which strongly affects symptoms:
- Submucosal fibroids bulge into the uterine cavity. Even small ones can cause heavy bleeding and affect fertility.
- Intramural fibroids grow within the muscle wall and can enlarge the uterus and make periods heavier.
- Subserosal fibroids grow on the outer surface and are more likely to press on the bladder or bowel.
Fibroids depend on estrogen and progesterone, so they can grow during the reproductive years and usually shrink after menopause.
What are the symptoms of fibroids?
Many women with fibroids have no symptoms, and fibroids are often found during a routine ultrasound. When symptoms occur, the most common is heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Heavy or prolonged periods, sometimes with large clots
- Iron-deficiency anemia, causing tiredness, shortness of breath or dizziness
- Pelvic pressure, bloating or a visibly larger abdomen
- Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder
- Constipation or back pain
- Painful periods or pain during sex
- Difficulty getting pregnant or, less often, pregnancy complications
Fibroid symptoms can overlap with adenomyosis, endometriosis and polyps, which is why an ultrasound is important.
How are fibroids diagnosed?
Fibroids are diagnosed with a pelvic ultrasound , which shows how many fibroids there are, their size and their position in relation to the uterine cavity. A transvaginal scan gives the clearest view, and an abdominal scan is added for a large uterus.
If your periods are heavy, a blood test checks for anemia and iron levels. When a fibroid may be inside the cavity, a saline-infusion ultrasound or hysteroscopy can be arranged. Before any surgery, an MRI at a hospital is often used to map the fibroids precisely. Rapid growth after menopause is unusual and is always investigated further.
Fibroid treatment: when to monitor, treat or refer
Fibroids only need treatment if they cause symptoms, affect fertility or grow quickly. The choice depends on your symptoms, the size and position of the fibroids, your age and whether you want to become pregnant.
Monitoring
Fibroids that cause no symptoms are usually checked with ultrasound every 6 to 12 months. Many remain stable, and they generally shrink after menopause.
Medical treatment at the clinic
- Iron supplements to correct anemia.
- Tranexamic acid and anti-inflammatory painkillers taken during periods to reduce bleeding and pain.
- Hormonal options: a levonorgestrelIUDor thebirth control pillcan lighten bleeding, although an IUD may not be suitable if a fibroid distorts the cavity.
- GnRH medications, sometimes used for a few months to shrink fibroids and correct anemia before surgery.
Referral for a procedure
Surgery or another procedure is considered when symptoms persist despite medication, fibroids are large or growing, or they affect fertility. Options include hysteroscopic removal for fibroids inside the cavity, myomectomy (removing fibroids and keeping the uterus), uterine artery embolization (UAE), high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and hysterectomy. Hommage Clinic is an outpatient clinic and does not perform these procedures; Dr. Park refers you to a hospital and continues your care afterwards.
Risks and possible side effects of fibroid treatment
Each option carries possible side effects, and Dr. Park explains them before you decide. Iron tablets commonly cause constipation or stomach upset. Tranexamic acid is not suitable if you have a history of blood clots. Hormonal IUDs and pills can cause irregular spotting at first, and an IUD can be expelled more easily when fibroids change the shape of the cavity. GnRH medications cause menopause-like symptoms such as hot flashes and bone thinning, so they are used only for short periods.
Procedures such as myomectomy, embolization and hysterectomy carry risks including bleeding, infection and, for some, effects on future pregnancy, and fibroids can return after myomectomy. The hospital team will discuss these in detail. Call the clinic if bleeding becomes much heavier or you feel faint.
Fibroid care at Hommage Clinic
Hommage Clinic is a women's clinic in Gangnam, a short walk from Sinnonhyeon Station. Fibroid assessments and follow-up ultrasounds are done by Dr. Park Yuna, a female OB/GYN specialist, so the same doctor tracks your fibroids over time and can tell you clearly whether they are changing. We manage bleeding and anemia in the clinic and refer you promptly when a procedure is the better option.
If you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance, ultrasound and medical treatment for symptomatic fibroids are generally covered; visitors without coverage pay the clinic's fees directly, and we explain costs before any test. Explore our other gynecology services .
Know your fibroids
Types of uterine fibroids: why location matters
Two women can have fibroids of exactly the same size and completely different symptoms, because what matters most is where the fibroid sits. A small fibroid bulging into the cavity of the uterus can cause very heavy periods, while a much larger one on the outer surface may cause no bleeding problems at all but press on the bladder.
Your ultrasound report describes each fibroid's type, size and position. Dr. Park uses this map to explain which fibroid is likely causing your symptoms and which treatments can reach it. Fibroids can also hang on a stalk (pedunculated), inside or outside the uterus.
Symptoms
Heavy periods and anemia from fibroids: signs to watch
Heavy menstrual bleeding is the symptom that most often brings women with fibroids to the clinic, and it is easy to underestimate. Many women adapt over years, using double pads or planning around their period, without realizing how much blood they are losing. Over time this can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, which causes tiredness, breathlessness on stairs, headaches and poor concentration.
Treating anemia is often the first step, because it makes you feel better quickly and makes any later procedure safer. A simple blood count and iron level at your visit show whether this is needed.
- Changing pads or tampons every 1–2 hours Or needing to use two at once, or getting up at night to change.
- Periods longer than 7 days Or clots larger than a coin.
- Planning your life around your period Avoiding travel, exercise or work meetings on heavy days.
- Tiredness, breathlessness or dizziness Possible signs of iron-deficiency anemia.
- Cravings for ice, pale skin or brittle nails Other clues that iron levels may be low.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Ongoing tiredness can be a sign of anemia from heavy periods. Illustrative photo.
Decision guide
Do my fibroids need treatment? Monitor, medicine or procedure
Every fibroid plan comes down to three questions: are the fibroids causing symptoms, are they changing, and do you want a future pregnancy? Fibroids without symptoms are usually watched. Symptoms are first treated with medicine where possible. A procedure is considered when medicine is not enough, fibroids are large or growing, or they are likely affecting fertility.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Correcting anemia is often the first step in fibroid care. Illustrative photo.
Without surgery
Fibroid treatment without surgery: what medicine can and cannot do
Medicines are good at controlling the symptoms of fibroids, especially heavy bleeding, pain and anemia. Most do not shrink fibroids, and those that do (GnRH medicines) work only while you take them, which is why they are mainly used for a few months before surgery. Medication is often the right long-term choice for women approaching menopause, when fibroids naturally shrink.
Tranexamic acid
Taken only on heavy days to reduce blood loss. Non-hormonal; not for women with a clotting history.
NSAID painkillers
Ease period pain and can modestly reduce bleeding. Taken with food during periods.
Iron
Tablets rebuild iron stores; your blood count is rechecked after a few months.
Hormonal IUD or pill
Lighten bleeding; an IUD may not suit a cavity distorted by a fibroid.
GnRH medicines
Shrink fibroids temporarily, often before surgery; menopause-like side effects limit their use.
Procedures
Myomectomy vs embolization vs hysterectomy: fibroid procedures compared
When a procedure is needed, the right one depends on the type and size of your fibroids, how much your symptoms affect you and, above all, whether you want to keep the option of pregnancy. Hommage Women's Clinic does not perform these procedures; Dr. Park explains the options, refers you to a hospital team and continues your care afterwards.
A Cochrane review comparing uterine artery embolization (UAE) with surgery found similar satisfaction, around 85% in both groups at up to two years, with faster return to normal activities after UAE. The trade-off was a higher chance of needing a further procedure: about 22% after UAE versus about 7% after surgery within two years.
| Compare | Myomectomy | Embolization (UAE) | Hysterectomy |
|---|---|---|---|
| How | Hysteroscopic, laparoscopic or open surgery | Radiologist blocks fibroid arteries through a thin tube | Laparoscopic, vaginal or open surgery |
| Keeps uterus | Yes | Yes | No |
| Future pregnancy | Usually the preferred option | Possible, but evidence on pregnancy is very limited | Not possible |
| Further procedure | Fibroids can regrow | About 22% within 2 years in trials | Fibroids cannot return |
Fertility
Fibroids, fertility and pregnancy planning
Most fibroids do not stop women from getting pregnant. The main exception is fibroids that distort the inside of the uterus (submucosal fibroids), which can make implantation harder and are often removed by hysteroscopy before trying to conceive. Fibroids within the wall or on the surface are less likely to affect fertility, and the decision to remove them is more individual.
If you are planning a pregnancy, tell Dr. Park early. Hormonal treatments for bleeding prevent pregnancy, the choice between myomectomy and other procedures depends on your plans, and after a myomectomy your obstetrician may advise waiting before trying and may recommend a particular type of delivery. An AMH test can help with timing if you are in your late 30s or 40s.
Before trying to conceive
- Have an ultrasound to map fibroid position
- Ask whether any fibroid reaches the cavity
- Correct anemia before pregnancy
- Discuss timing if a procedure is needed
Good to know
- Fibroids can grow in early pregnancy and sometimes cause pain
- Most pregnancies with fibroids go well
- After myomectomy, follow your obstetrician's advice on timing and delivery
- Evidence on pregnancy after embolization is very limited
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Your pregnancy plans shape which fibroid treatment fits best. Illustrative photo.
Evidence
Uterine fibroids: what the research says
Two pieces of research shape how we talk about fibroids. A large ultrasound study showed that fibroids are so common they are almost a normal finding by the late 40s, which is why most need no treatment. A Cochrane review of randomized trials compared embolization with surgery, which helps women weigh up procedures honestly.
Cumulative incidence
In white and Black women by their late 40s; 1,364 women screened by ultrasound.
Baird et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol, 2003Satisfaction up to 2 years
After embolization vs surgery; no clear difference (6 trials, 640 women).
Gupta et al., Cochrane, 2014Further procedure in 2 years
After embolization vs surgery (6 trials, 732 women).
Gupta et al., Cochrane, 2014Faster return to activities
On average after embolization than after myomectomy or hysterectomy.
Gupta et al., Cochrane, 2014
Hommage · Seoul
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
The clinic is a short walk from Sinnonhyeon Station on Line 9 and the Shinbundang Line. Illustrative photo.
Traveling to Seoul
Fibroid assessment in Seoul for international patients and expats
A fibroid assessment at Hommage Women's Clinic usually takes a single visit: consultation, pelvic ultrasound and, if your periods are heavy, a blood test. You leave with a written summary of your fibroid map and a plan, which is useful if you are continuing care at home.
Before your visit
- Book by WhatsApp, KakaoTalk or the contact form and ask for language support if needed.
- Bring your passport or alien registration card, earlier ultrasound or MRI reports, and a list of medicines.
- Note how many pads or tampons you use on your heaviest day; it helps judge blood loss.
- If you may need a procedure in Korea, allow extra time: hospital MRI, surgery or embolization are booked separately, and recovery time depends on the procedure.
After you go home
Fibroids without symptoms are usually re-scanned in 6–12 months, which your local gynecologist can do using your report. You can message the clinic with questions. Seek urgent care for very heavy bleeding with dizziness or fainting.
Choosing well
How to choose a clinic for fibroids in Seoul
Fibroid care often involves both a clinic that follows you over time and a hospital that performs procedures. These questions help at any clinic, including ours:
- Does an OB/GYN specialist do the scan? The doctor who scans you can explain the findings directly.
- Do you get a fibroid map? Number, size and position of each fibroid, in writing.
- Is monitoring offered when treatment is not needed? Not every fibroid needs a procedure.
- Are all options explained, including non-surgical ones? Including the pros and cons for pregnancy.
- Is anemia checked and treated? Correcting iron levels is often the first step.
- Is there a clear referral path? To experienced hospital teams for surgery or embolization.
What affects the cost of fibroid treatment?
Cost depends on whether you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance, how often you need ultrasound monitoring, whether blood tests are needed, which medicines are prescribed, and whether a hormonal IUD is fitted. Hospital procedures such as MRI, myomectomy, embolization or hysterectomy are billed by the hospital and vary with the method and length of stay. Visitors without Korean insurance pay the clinic's fees directly, and we explain costs before any test.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Ultrasound maps each fibroid's size and position. Illustrative photo.
Your visit
What to expect at your fibroid appointment
01
Consultation
Dr. Park asks about your bleeding pattern, tiredness, pressure symptoms and pregnancy plans, and reviews any earlier scans.
02
Ultrasound
A pelvic ultrasound maps the number, size and position of fibroids. An abdominal scan is added for a larger uterus.
03
Blood test
A blood count and iron level are checked if your periods are heavy.
04
Your plan
We agree on monitoring, medical treatment or a hospital referral, and set a date for your next scan.
Your doctor
Dr. Park Yuna
Medical Director · OB/GYN Specialist
Dr. Park treats fibroids according to the symptoms they cause, not their size alone. She focuses on controlling heavy bleeding and anemia first, and when surgery is the better choice she explains the options and arranges a hospital referral.
OB/GYN specialist (Korea) and representative director of Hommage Clinic. Leads the clinic's women's health care, from screening and infections to hormones, contraception and fertility checks.
Uterine fibroids: frequently asked questions
Do uterine fibroids need to be removed?
Most fibroids do not need to be removed. Fibroids that cause no symptoms are usually monitored with ultrasound. Treatment is considered when they cause heavy bleeding, anemia, pain, pressure symptoms or fertility problems, or when they grow quickly. Medication can control symptoms for many women, and surgery is reserved for cases where it is needed.
Can fibroids turn into cancer?
Fibroids are benign and very rarely become cancerous. A rare cancer called leiomyosarcoma can look similar, so rapid growth, especially after menopause, is investigated further. For the vast majority of women, a fibroid is not a cancer risk.
Can fibroids shrink on their own?
Fibroids usually stop growing and shrink after menopause, when estrogen and progesterone levels fall. Before menopause they may stay the same size, grow slowly or occasionally shrink. Medication such as GnRH drugs can shrink them temporarily, but they often regrow when treatment stops.
Can I get pregnant with fibroids?
Many women with fibroids conceive and have healthy pregnancies. Fibroids that distort the inside of the uterus are the type most likely to affect fertility or miscarriage risk, and removing them may help. If you are planning a pregnancy, an ultrasound assessment helps decide whether any treatment is needed first.
What is the difference between fibroids and adenomyosis?
Fibroids are distinct lumps of muscle tissue, while adenomyosis is tissue similar to the uterine lining spread within the uterine muscle wall. Both can cause heavy, painful periods and an enlarged uterus, and they can occur together. Ultrasound usually tells them apart, and treatment options overlap.
Can foreigners get fibroid treatment in Seoul?
Yes. Foreign residents and visitors can book at Hommage Clinic; bring your passport or alien registration card and any previous scan reports. If you are enrolled in National Health Insurance, ultrasound and treatment for symptomatic fibroids are generally covered. Please contact us before your visit to arrange language support.
How common are uterine fibroids?
Very common. In a large US ultrasound study, the cumulative incidence by the late 40s was almost 70% in white women and over 80% in Black women. Many of these women had no symptoms and did not know they had fibroids.
What size of fibroid needs surgery?
There is no single size that means surgery. Position and symptoms matter more: a small fibroid inside the uterine cavity can cause heavy bleeding, while a larger one on the outside may cause no problems. Surgery is considered for troublesome symptoms despite medication, rapid growth, pressure on other organs or fertility concerns.
How often should fibroids be checked?
Fibroids without symptoms are usually checked with an ultrasound every 6 to 12 months. You should be seen sooner if your periods get heavier, you feel more pressure or pain, or you notice your abdomen getting larger.
Is uterine artery embolization better than surgery?
Neither is better for everyone. In a Cochrane review, satisfaction was similar after embolization and surgery, and women returned to normal activities sooner after embolization, but about 22% needed a further procedure within two years compared with about 7% after surgery. If you want a future pregnancy, myomectomy is usually preferred.
Can fibroids come back after treatment?
Yes, after myomectomy or embolization new fibroids can grow or remaining ones can enlarge, which is why follow-up scans continue. Only hysterectomy removes the possibility completely. Fibroids generally shrink after menopause.
Can a hormonal IUD be used with fibroids?
Often yes. A levonorgestrel IUD can lighten heavy bleeding from fibroids. It may not be suitable if a fibroid distorts the uterine cavity, because the IUD is more likely to be expelled. An ultrasound before insertion shows whether it is a good option. See IUD insertion.
Do fibroids cause weight gain or a bigger belly?
Large fibroids or many fibroids can enlarge the uterus enough to make the lower abdomen look or feel bigger and cause bloating. Fibroids do not cause general weight gain. If you notice your abdomen growing, an ultrasound can check whether fibroids are the cause.
References
Sources used for this page, reviewed by Dr. Park Yuna, OB/GYN specialist. Read our editorial and medical review policy.
- Day Baird D, Dunson DB, Hill MC, Cousins D, Schectman JM. High cumulative incidence of uterine leiomyoma in black and white women: ultrasound evidence. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003;188(1):100–107. PubMed
- Gupta JK, Sinha A, Lumsden MA, Hickey M. Uterine artery embolization for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(12):CD005073. Cochrane Library
- American Academy of Family Physicians. Uterine fibroids are common in middle-aged women (summary of Baird et al.). Am Fam Physician. 2003. AAFP
This page is general information and does not replace a personal consultation. Illustrations are original works of Hommage Women's Clinic, Gangnam, Seoul; photos marked illustrative are not of patients.
Related women's health services
Pelvic Ultrasound
Same-visit ultrasound to map fibroids and check the uterus and ovaries.
Period Pain Treatment
Help for painful periods, including pain caused by fibroids or adenomyosis.
Ovarian Cyst Treatment
Monitoring and treatment of ovarian cysts, another common ultrasound finding.
IUD Insertion
Hormonal IUDs that can make heavy periods lighter when suitable.
Irregular Periods
Causes of irregular cycles and bleeding between periods.
Menopause Treatment
Care through perimenopause, when fibroid symptoms often change.
Take control of heavy periods and fibroids
Book an ultrasound consultation with Dr. Park Yuna in Gangnam to find out whether your fibroids need monitoring or treatment.
Hommage Clinic · 4F, Building A, 509 Gangnam-daero, Seoul (near Sinnonhyeon Station) · Mon & Fri 10:00–20:00 · Tue–Thu 10:00–19:00 · Sat 10:00–15:00