1. Fibroid Symptoms:Heavy or Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding
When It’s a Concern
- Soaking through one or more pads or tampons every hour for several hours.
- Periods lasting longer than seven days.
- Passing large blood clots (larger than a quarter).
- Feeling dizzy, weak, or fatigued, which could indicate anemia.
Why It’s Important:
- Heavy bleeding can lead to iron deficiency anemia, causing extreme fatigue and weakness.
- May indicate submucosal fibroids, which grow inside the uterine cavity and disrupt the endometrial lining.
2. Fibroid Symptoms: Severe Pelvic Pain or Pressure
When It’s a Concern
- Chronic, dull pelvic pain that does not go away.
- Sharp, stabbing pain that occurs suddenly.
- Lower back pain that worsens over time.
Why It’s Important:
- Large fibroids can press on nearby organs, causing pelvic pressure and discomfort.
- Sudden, severe pain could indicate fibroid degeneration, where a fibroid outgrows its blood supply and starts breaking down.
3.Fibroid Symptoms: Frequent Urination or Difficulty Emptying the Bladder
When It’s a Concern
- Needing to urinate often (even at night).
- Feeling the urge to urinate but passing only a small amount.
- Difficulty fully emptying the bladder.
Why It’s Important:
- Fibroids located near the bladder can compress the urinary tract, leading to urinary issues or infections.
- Severe cases may cause kidney damage if the urine flow is blocked.
4.Fibroid Symptoms:Bloating or Constipation
When It’s a Concern
- Persistent bloating or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen.
- Difficulty passing stool or experiencing constipation that lasts for days.
- Hemorrhoids or pain during bowel movements.
Why It’s Important:
- Fibroids near the rectum can press on the intestines, causing bowel issues.
- Severe constipation may lead to digestive complications if untreated.
5.Fibroid Symptoms: Pain During Intercourse (Dyspareunia)
When It’s a Concern
- Deep, persistent pain during or after intercourse.
- Pain that worsens over time.
Why It’s Important:
- Fibroids located in the cervix or near the vaginal wall can cause discomfort or pain during intercourse.
- This can also lead to emotional distress and relationship difficulties if left unaddressed.
6.Fibroid Symptoms: Difficulty Getting Pregnant or Recurrent Miscarriages
When It’s a Concern
- Trying to conceive for over a year without success.
- Multiple miscarriages without a known cause.
Why It’s Important:
- Fibroids in certain locations, such as inside the uterine cavity (submucosal fibroids), can interfere with implantation and pregnancy.
- Removing fibroids in select cases has been shown to improve pregnancy rates.
7.Fibroid Symptoms: Sudden, Severe Abdominal Pain
When It’s a Concern
- Intense, sharp pain that does not subside.
- Nausea, fever, or vomiting accompanying abdominal pain.
- Swelling or tenderness in the lower abdomen.
Why It’s Important:
- Could indicate fibroid torsion, where a fibroid on a stalk (pedunculated fibroid) twists, cutting off its blood supply.
- This is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
8.Fibroid Symptoms: Rapidly Growing Fibroids or Enlarged Abdomen
When It’s a Concern
- Noticeable increase in abdominal size (similar to pregnancy).
- Sudden growth of fibroids over a short period.
Why It’s Important:
- While fibroids grow slowly, rapid growth may require further testing to rule out other conditions.
- Fibroids larger than 10 cm may require surgical intervention.
When to Seek Emergency Care:
Go to the doctor or emergency room if you experience:
- Severe, sudden pelvic pain.
- Uncontrolled heavy bleeding.
- Signs of anemia (extreme fatigue, dizziness, pale skin).
- Severe constipation with abdominal swelling.
What to Expect at the Doctor’s Office
A doctor may perform:
- Pelvic exam to check for enlarged uterus.
- Ultrasound or MRI to assess fibroid size and location.
- Blood tests to check for anemia or hormonal imbalances.
Fibroid Symptoms: Treatment Options
Treatment depends on severity of symptoms and future pregnancy plans:
- Medications – Hormonal treatments (e.g., GnRH antagonists like Relugolix) to shrink fibroids.
- Minimally invasive procedures – Uterine artery embolization (UAE) or MRI-guided focused ultrasound (FUS).
- Surgery – Myomectomy for women wanting to conceive; hysterectomy for severe cases.
Conclusion
Uterine fibroids do not always require treatment, but serious symptoms should never be ignored. If you experience persistent pain, excessive bleeding, or fertility issues, consult a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment options.
References
References
- Micić, J. et al. Currently Available Treatment Modalities for Uterine Fibroids. Medicina, 2024, 60(868). Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60060868.
- Krzyżanowski, J.; Paszkowski, T.; Woźniak, S. The role of nutrition in pathogenesis of uterine fibroids. Nutrients, 2023, 15(23): 4984. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234984.
- Wang, Y. et al. Minimally invasive surgery for uterine fibroids. Ginekologia Polska, 2020, 91(3): 149-157. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5603/GP.a2020.0034.
- Donnez, J.; Dolmans, M. M. GnRH antagonists with or without add-back therapy: A new alternative in the management of endometriosis? International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021, 22(21): 11342. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222111342.
- Memon, S. I.; Acharya, N. S.; Potdar, J. Spontaneous Expulsion of a Huge Cervical Fibroid After Uterine Artery Embolization. Cureus, 2022, 14(10): e30163. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.30163.