Sudden fibroid pain in Vasco: has a pedunculated fibroid twisted?

Medically reviewed by our consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist (MBBS, MS OBG). Last reviewed: 2 November 2026.

Many women in Goa live with a fibroid for years without it causing pain. So when a fibroid you already know about suddenly starts to hurt, it is natural to worry. This guide by the Pai Hospital Team explains why it happens, which kind of pain should bring you to hospital the same day, and what is done next. For the full background on fibroids, read our guide to fibroids of the uterus.

Why can a fibroid suddenly become painful?

A fibroid is a firm, benign growth of the womb's own muscle. Most fibroids grow slowly and quietly. Pain that comes on suddenly usually means something has changed inside or around the fibroid. Outside pregnancy, the common reasons are:

• Torsion (twisting): a fibroid on a stalk turns on itself and its blood supply is cut off.
• Degeneration: a fibroid grows faster than its blood vessels can feed it, and part of it breaks down.
• A fibroid being pushed out of the womb: a stalked fibroid inside the cavity can slip down towards the cervix and cause cramping.

Pain from a fibroid during pregnancy has its own causes and needs, and we cover it in a separate guide.

What is a pedunculated fibroid, and why can it twist?

"Pedunculated" means the fibroid is attached to the womb by a narrow stalk, a little like a fruit hanging from a branch. Your scan report may use this word. Our guide to fibroid types on an ultrasound report explains where these fibroids sit.

A fibroid that hangs outside the womb has room to move. Rarely, it can turn on its stalk. The twist squeezes the blood vessels running through the stalk, the fibroid swells, and it begins to lose its blood supply. That is why the pain is usually sudden and severe, often on one side of the lower tummy, and may come with nausea, vomiting or a fever. Twisting is uncommon, but it is the reason a stalked fibroid deserves attention whenever new pain appears.

What does fibroid degeneration feel like?

Degeneration happens when part of a fibroid no longer gets enough blood and starts to break down. It tends to feel different from a twist:

• pain that builds over hours or a day or two, rather than in one moment;
• a tender spot over the fibroid when you press the lower tummy;
• sometimes a mild fever and a general feeling of being unwell.

The two can be hard to tell apart at home, and both can look like other causes of tummy pain. A scan is what makes the difference.

Can a fibroid inside the womb cause cramping pain?

Yes. A stalked fibroid that grows into the cavity of the womb can be squeezed downwards by the womb's own contractions. As it moves towards the cervix, it can cause strong, period-like cramps, bleeding and sometimes a watery or smelly discharge. Doctors call this a prolapsed fibroid or fibroid polyp. It is usually removed from below, through the vagina or with a hysteroscope, without any cut on the tummy.

Which fibroid pain needs same-day care in Vasco?

Please come to hospital the same day, without waiting for the pain to pass, if you have:

• sudden, severe pain in the lower tummy or on one side;
• pain that keeps getting worse, or pain with vomiting;
• pain with fever or chills;
• pain with heavy bleeding, dizziness, fainting or breathlessness;
• any new pain when you could be pregnant.

Pai Hospital at Vaddem, Vasco, is open 24 hours for pregnancy and gynaecology emergencies, so you do not have to wait for the morning. If you are pregnant, please also read our guide to pregnancy danger signs.

A dull, familiar heaviness that has not changed for months can usually wait for a planned appointment. If you are unsure which group your pain belongs to, it is better to be seen.

What else can feel like fibroid pain?

Having a fibroid does not mean every pain comes from it. Other conditions can start in the same way and need different care, which is why tests come before any decision:

• a twisted ovary or a burst or bleeding ovarian cyst (see our guide to ovarian cyst surgery);
• a pregnancy growing outside the womb;
• appendicitis;
• a kidney stone or a urine infection.

How is sudden fibroid pain diagnosed?

The doctor first asks about the pain and examines your tummy gently. The tests that usually follow are:

• Ultrasound scan: through the tummy and often internally, to find the fibroid, look at its stalk and check the ovaries. A Doppler setting shows whether blood is still flowing into the fibroid; poor or absent flow points towards a twist. A scan cannot always confirm a twist; sometimes it is confirmed only during keyhole surgery.
• Blood tests: a complete blood count, to look for infection and blood loss, and a CRP test for inflammation. Our laboratory in Vasco runs these on site.
• Pregnancy test and urine test: to rule out a pregnancy-related cause and a urine infection.
• MRI or CT scan: occasionally, when the ultrasound picture is not clear.

How is a twisted fibroid treated?

A fibroid that has twisted has lost its blood supply and will not recover by itself, so it is usually removed soon. In many cases this is done by keyhole surgery (laparoscopy): the surgeon looks inside through small cuts, seals the vessels in the stalk, divides it and takes it out. Sometimes, for a very large fibroid or when the picture is unclear, an open operation through a cut on the tummy is the safer choice. Because the fibroid is joined to the womb only by its stalk, the womb can usually be kept.

You can read more about removing fibroids in our guide to myomectomy (fibroid removal surgery), and about the operation itself on our laparoscopic surgery page. What the days after keyhole surgery look like is covered in recovery after keyhole surgery.

How is a degenerating fibroid treated?

Degeneration usually settles without an operation. The usual plan is rest, fluids and pain relief chosen by your doctor, with a check that there is no infection. Once the pain has eased, a planned review looks at the fibroid's size and position and at your symptoms. If the pain keeps returning, or the fibroid is large or growing, treatment options are discussed calmly. Our guide to whether a fibroid needs surgery explains how that decision is made.

Can sudden fibroid pain be prevented?

Not completely, because a twist cannot be predicted. What helps is knowing your own fibroid. If your report says pedunculated, learn the warning signs above and keep your follow-up scans. If a stalked fibroid is large, or it has already caused episodes of pain, planned removal can be discussed at a quiet time rather than in an emergency.

Where is fibroid pain treated in Vasco?

Pai Hospital is at Vaddem, Vasco-da-Gama, with its own operating theatre, scan room and laboratory, so the tests, any operation and your stay are in one place. Any surgery is done at the hospital in Vasco. Planned consultations are also available at our consultation points in Panjim, Margao and Mapusa.

For a question about your fibroid or your scan report, message us using the WhatsApp button on this page; to book a consultation, use the Call button. Consultations are by appointment, while emergencies are seen at any hour. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please speak to your doctor about your own symptoms.

What else do women ask about sudden fibroid pain?

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This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.