While Some Fibroids go Undetected, Here are Some Common Fibroid Symptoms

The good news is many women with fibroids have no symptoms. Those women are diagnosed with fibroids during a routine exam without knowing they have anything wrong with them.

Other women know something is wrong and schedule a doctor’s appointment to discuss their concerns. But, even within the realm of symptoms, they range from mild to serious. Some women report mild symptoms during a routine well woman checkup, while other women make a specific appointment to discuss serious symptoms they are experiencing.

The most common symptoms of fibroids include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Prolonged menstrual periods — seven days or more of menstrual bleeding
• Pelvic pressure or pain
• Frequent urination
• Difficulty emptying your bladder
• Constipation
• Backache or leg pains

The type of fibroid and where it is located can affect symptoms. In addition, a fibroid sometimes outgrows its blood supply which then causes extreme pain. The fibroid, in this case, begins to die as its nutrition is cut off. If the byproducts from a degenerating fibroid seep into surrounding tissue, pain and fever symptoms can occur.

Pedunculated fibroids are “stalk-like” fibroids hanging inside or outside the uterus. They can cause pain by twisting on their stalk and cutting off their blood supply.

Submucosal fibroids grow in the inner cavity of the uterus and are thought to be responsible for prolonged, heavy menstrual bleeding.

Subserosal fibroids project on the outside of the uterus and can press on the bladder. If fibroids bulge from the back of your uterus, they can press on the rectum, causing constipation, or on the spinal nerves, causing backache.

Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed above, or if you experience severe vaginal bleeding or sudden, sharp pelvic pain.

Browse through the HysterSisters Uterine Fibroids Articles with information articles and  resource for managing your diagnosis of uterine fibroids.

This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.  Reprinted with permission: Fibroid Symptoms