Most women have heard of or know someone with fibroids. That’s because they are incredibly common, with 20-70% of reproductive-aged women having uterine fibroids. But what exactly are uterine fibroids? And how do you know if you have them?
The uterus is made of muscle, and a fibroid forms when uterine muscle cells overgrow in a single area. Although they are non-cancerous (benign) growths of muscle tissue, they can still be troublesome for some women.
Many women have fibroids their entire lives and may never have any symptoms from them at all. However, depending on the location, size, and your individual body, fibroids can cause symptoms.
Let’s take a look at each of these dependencies to understand why they can be troublesome.
Location: If the fibroid is pushing into the inside of the uterus, it is more likely to cause abnormal menstrual bleeding than if it is entirely within the wall of the uterus. If the fibroid protrudes beyond the uterine wall, it is more likely to cause pressure symptoms.
Size: Some fibroids are tiny, even smaller than the size of a pea. These are less likely to cause symptoms than medium-sized (the size of a lime) or larger fibroids (the size of an orange or grapefruit). Some can even grow to be larger than a grapefruit, though fibroids of this size are rare.
Individual body: Every woman’s body is unique, and the same size and location of fibroid in two different women may lead to different symptoms. You know your body best, and at Diana Health, we trust you to recognize when something is off.
Considering these dependencies, the symptoms can also vary from person to person. Most common symptoms involve bleeding changes and pressure, though more rarely, they may cause fertility problems or pain.
Let’s break down each symptom to understand it better.
Bleeding: Fibroids can affect your menstrual cycle. If a fibroid pushes more into the inside of the uterus (the uterine cavity), it is more likely to cause heavy and/or irregular bleeding.
Common bleeding and cycle-related symptoms include:
- heavy and/or irregular menstruation
- irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods
- painful menstruation
- excessive pelvic pain/cramping during periods.
Some women may experience blood clots due to heavier bleeding and blood clotting before being expelled from the body. Because of this, some women may experience anemia due to excessive blood loss from a fibroid. Some signs of anemia can be fatigue, weakness, or getting out of breath more easily.
Pressure: Pelvic pressure is often an early warning sign. When fibroids grow, they can cause abdominal or, more commonly, pelvic pressure symptoms. If a fibroid grows large, it can take up a lot of space within the pelvis, pushing other organs out of the way.
Pressure symptoms can feel like:
- pelvic heaviness
- general pressure
- bloating
- lower back pain
If the fibroid is pressing on the bladder, it could lead to the need to urinate more frequently or a strong urge to urinate. Some women feel like they can’t empty their bladder. Other women may have rectal pressure or more constipation if a fibroid is pushing on their rectum.
Pain and Fertility: Although most women do not experience pain from fibroids, it is possible that having a fibroid can lead to pain. This is more common if the fibroid grows rapidly or is connected to the uterus.
Other pain symptoms include:
- uterine cramping or pain
- pain with intercourse (especially deeper vaginal penetration).
Most fibroids do not lead to infertility; however, a fibroid can be in a location that can lead to problems with fertility or possibly even miscarriages.
When to reach out for help:
If any of these signs and symptoms seem familiar and are bothersome to you, reach out to us at Diana Health. A provider can talk through your symptoms with you to decide together what treatment options are best for you.
While uterine fibroids are not cancerous, they can occasionally be associated with another type of cancer. For this reason, if you notice a change in your symptoms or they become concerning, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Diana Health provider or another health practitioner.
If you are experiencing acute or significant pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, and/or signs of anemia, seek immediate help.
At Diana Health, we are here to help you with your questions, symptoms, and concerns. No problem is too small, and no question is too trivial. We care about you and your well-being, and we’re just a phone call away. If you would like to talk about fibroids, fibroid symptoms, or any other women’s wellness issues, schedule an appointment today.
