Symptoms
Although most women with fibroids are symptom-free,
up to 40% of women with fibroids experience uncomfortable
or painful symptoms.
Bleeding
One of the most common symptoms of fibroids is
heavy menstrual flow. When the menstrual period
is extremely heavy or prolonged (called menorrhagia),
it can lead to anemia (low blood count). In rare
cases, it can be life threatening.
Another symptom of fibroids is abnormal or heavy
uterine bleeding which occurs between menstrual
periods.
Pain
Pelvic pain and pressure is also common in fibroid
sufferers. Fibroid pain usually occurs when:
- The fibroids rapidly increase in size and
outgrow their blood supply (degeneration). This
is rare and most likely to occur during pregnancy.
- The body is unable to expel an excessive build-up
of blood and tissue inside the uterus during
the menstrual period.
Problems with pregnancy and childbirth
Fibroids can interfere with your ability to get
and stay pregnant. They also can cause premature
labor.
Abdominal swelling
Swelling in the abdomen, commonly mistaken for
weight gain and often resembling a pregnancy,
is a frequent symptom of fibroids. Because a swollen
abdomen can also signal a cancerous tumor, it's
important to diagnose accurately the cause of
this symptom, especially in post-menopausal women.
When fibroids swell, the organs surrounding the
uterus, such as the bladder and rectum, can be
affected, resulting in frequent urination or constipation.
In rare cases, the fibroids can compress the tube
connecting the kidney to the bladder, known as
the ureter, preventing urine from draining out
of the kidney. This can lead to an enlarged ureter
and ultimately, to kidney damage or failure, if
the compression is not relieved.
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