Uterine Fibroid Symptoms

Uterine fibroid symptoms are often absent in women with fibroids.

Though about 1 in 5 women have symptoms and as much as 50% of women
above 50, only about 20 to 50% of these women will have symptoms.

Most fibroids are discovered incidentally or during a test done for another disease.

Most women with fibroids are not aware they have them.

Common Symptoms

The common symptoms include

• Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Fibroids
  are amongst the most common causes of heavy menstruation( menorrhagia).
  It may also cause irregular bleeding and menstrual clots.
• Pelvic pressure symptoms. These symptoms are caused by large fibroids pressing on neighboring structures. Such symptoms include Pelvic discomfort, pain or a sense of fullness in the lower abdomen Frequent urination and sense of urgency to pass urine from pressure on the bladder Difficulty emptying the bladder Constipation from pressure on the rectumThese symptoms are often made worse by pregancy
• Backache and leg pain. These result from pressure on the nerves in the pelvis.
• Acute complications. In some few cases, fibroids may cause acute pelvic pain when they undergo a rapid change.

Fibroid Type And Symptoms

The location and size of the fibroid determine the type and severity of symptoms you experience

Submucosal fibroids.
These are fibroids that grow into the inner cavity of the uterus.
Since they affect the inner lining of the endometrium involved in
menstruation, they are responsible for prolonged, heavy menstrual
bleeding and are a problem for women

trying to conceive. Subserosal fibroids. These are fbroids that project to the outside of the uterus. They most often cause pressure symptoms as noted above. Large tumors are more likely to lead to pressure symptoms such as frequent urination and constipation.

Infertility and Pregnancy Complications

Whether fibroids actually cause infertility and pregnancy complications
or not remain a topic of debate amongst experts. Some experts believe
fibroids may cause infertility and pregnancy problems depending on their
size and location. Some pregnancy complications include recurrent
miscarriage, premature labor, abnormal positioning of the fetus in the
womb, abnormal labor and placenta.

Complications

Complications of fibroids include:

• Severe pain or excessively heavy bleeding that may require emergency surgery
• Twisting of the fibroid, which causes a blockage in nearby blood vessels feeding the tumor (surgery may be needed)
• Anemia (low red blood cell count) if the bleeding is very heavy
• Urinary tract infections, if pressure from the fibroid prevents the bladder from fully emptying
• Cancerous changes called leiomyosarcoma. This is very, very rare.

When To See Your doctor

Whenever you have symptoms suggestive of fibroids, always see your
doctor for the right diagnosis to be made. The diagnosis of fibroids is
not made at home because some relative or friend had almost the same
symptoms you are having.

After the diagnosis of fibroids is made
and treatment not given because they do not cause any problems, be sure
to see your doctor if you begin to experience pain, heavy or prolonged
periods, painful intercourse or constipation. This is even more
important when your experience severe sudden pains or bleeding.

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