Fibroid Symptoms and Complications
While the vast majority of women with fibroids
have no symptoms, fibroids can be responsible for a variety of symptoms with
a broad range of severity. While the symptoms can cause a great deal of
discomfort, they are rarely life threatening. The three general symptom
categories are heavy menstrual bleeding, unusually frequent urination, and pressure
or pain. Generally, fibroid pain is worst before menses, lessening during your period
and afterwards. The specific symptoms generally depend upon the size,
location, and number of the fibroid(s):
- Back pain
- Painful menses
- Heavy or "flooding" periods, sometimes with clumps of blood
clots
- Fatigue, usually from anemia or blood loss
- Constipation or rectal pressure
- Pain with intercourse
- Bleeding after intercourse
- Lower abdominal pressure, bloating, or a sense of fullness
- Bladder pressure causing urinary frequency or even leakage
- While fibroids don't typically cause irregular periods, they may cause
some spotting between periods.
- Leg pain (especially down the back of the leg) from pressure on certain
nerves
- Infertility or repeated miscarriages
- Prolapse (when the uterus protrudes into the vagina)
- Incontinence (leaky bladder)
- Anemia (low blood count excessive blood loss)
The extent
and degree of a woman's symptoms from fibroids will be a major influence on
the type of treatment her physician recommends.
Created: 8/19/2003 - Donnica Moore, M.D.
