SYMPTOMS OF FIBROIDS
Many women live with fibroids and still maintain a good quality of life. Some women may experience some symptoms of fibroids, but can still manage to perform their daily activities. Many women who suffer from symptomatic fibroids underestimate the severity of their symptoms as they have become accustomed to excessive bleeding, pain, and the pressure fibroids can cause. However, if the fibroid symptoms are so severe that they affect your ability to maintain your day to day activities, it is a good time to discuss with your physician all of the alternatives available to help you manage these symptoms.
Excessive Menstrual Bleeding
One of the most common symptoms of fibroids is prolonged and excessive menstrual bleeding including the passage of clots. Prolonged bleeding over a long period of time can cause anemia and fatigue, which may result in the need for transfusions.
Pelvic Pain and Pressure
As fibroids grow in size, they may put pressure on surrounding organs; causing pain and discomfort. In other instances, fibroids may be accompanied by other conditions, such as adenomyosis (components normally in the endometrium are within the myometrium) and endometriosis (endometrial tissue is generally found outside of the uterus), which can cause pain and other complications. It is important to ensure that you have a complete gynecological evaluation to properly diagnose all of the conditions causing symptoms.
Urinary Frequency and Incontinence
In conjunction with pelvic pain and pressure, fibroid growth can put pressure on surrounding organs, such as the bladder. This pressure can cause urinary incontinence or more frequent urination. It is very common for women with fibroids to feel the need to urinate many times throughout the day and night.
Other common symptoms of fibroids include:
• Pain in the thigh or hip area
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Constipation and/or bloating caused by pressure on the bowel
• An enlarged abdomen which may be mistaken for weight gain or pregnancy
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention to confirm the cause of them. These may be symptoms of other problems that need to be diagnosed by a medical professional.