In a world where women juggle careers, family, fitness, and social expectations, subtle changes in the body are often pushed to the bottom of the priority list. A slight increase in abdominal weight, changes in how
clothes fit, or persistent bloating are easily attributed to lifestyle habits, stress, hormonal fluctuations, or a busy routine. But sometimes, these quiet shifts are the body’s way of asking for attention.
“As gynaecologists, we often see women dismiss early signs because they don’t feel unwell in the conventional sense,” says Dr Indrani Salunkhe, Consultant Gynaecology & Obstetrician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central. “Not all serious health conditions announce themselves with pain or dramatic symptoms.”
Many gynaecological conditions particularly uterine fibroids can grow silently over months or even years. During this time, they may impact a woman’s overall health, fertility, and emotional well-being long before she realises something is wrong.
“Fibroids are among the most common benign tumours seen in women of reproductive age,” explains Dr Salunkhe. “While some women experience heavy menstrual bleeding or pelvic pain, others may have no symptoms at all. This makes fibroids especially challenging, as they can go undetected until they reach a significant size.”
A recent case at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central highlights this concern. A young, unmarried woman noticed gradual abdominal enlargement, which she assumed was simple weight gain. She had no pain, no menstrual irregularities, and no obvious warning signs. It was only when the swelling became visibly prominent that she sought medical evaluation—revealing a giant uterine fibroid equivalent in size to a seven-month pregnancy.
“This case was medically rare, but the behaviour behind it is something we see frequently,” notes Dr Salunkhe. “Many women delay seeking medical advice because they feel ‘fine,’ are busy with daily responsibilities, or fear unnecessary medical procedures.”
There is also a tendency to normalise discomfort or bodily changes, particularly during the reproductive years. Women are often conditioned to accept symptoms as part of stress, ageing, or hormonal shifts rather than potential indicators of an underlying condition.
Beyond the physical implications, such diagnoses can carry a significant emotional toll. “Concerns about body image, fertility, future relationships, and self-confidence often emerge once a diagnosis is made,” says Dr Salunkhe. “For younger women especially, the fear of losing reproductive potential can be as distressing as the condition itself.”
The encouraging news, she adds, is that advancements in modern gynaecology now make it possible to manage even complex cases while preserving fertility provided the condition is diagnosed in time. In this particular case, despite the size of the fibroid, careful surgical planning allowed the uterus to be preserved, enabling the patient to retain her future reproductive choices.
“The bigger lesson, however, lies beyond the operating room,” emphasises Dr Salunkhe.
Regular health check-ups, paying attention to subtle body changes, and not dismissing persistent symptoms, no matter how mild they seem are essential acts of self-care. “Listening to your body doesn’t mean panic,” she says. “It means awareness and timely action.”
In an age where women are encouraged to ‘power through’ everything, prioritising health is not a weakness, it is a conscious lifestyle choice. Sometimes, responding to a whisper is all it takes to prevent the body from having to scream later.
