What are the Symptoms of Fibroids?

Understanding the symptoms of health conditions is important, as this is our first 'line of defense' when it comes to managing and maintaining our health.

When we show symptoms of illness, it's our body's way of telling us something isn't right, and we may need help. Our body is seeking a solution to a problem it's currently facing.

For some health conditions and diseases, understanding and recognising the symptoms can be difficult, since they may be either mild or something very common, such as pain or fatigue.

Fibroids can be one of these conditions where understanding the symptoms, and thus knowing when to seek medical advice, can be difficult. Many articles online only provide a list of symptoms, some of which could relate a any number of diseases or conditions.

So in this article we will dive a bit deeper into each symptom, as well as provide a list of the most commonly reported symptoms from sufferers of fibroids.

Our goal is to help you become more informed, understand your bodies warning signs, and be proactive with seeking out treatment for fibroids. 

What are Fibroids?

Fibroids are small, non-cancerous growths in the uterus. They can grow in a single node (that is, by themselves) or in a group. They usually grow to between 1mm and 20cm in size, and the diameter and location is often a determining factor in whether they are asymptomatic or not.

There are 3 major types of fibroids:

• Intramural fibroids - these grow in the wall of the uterus itself.
• Subserosal fibroids - these are the most common type of fibroid and start as intramural before projecting outside the uterus.
• Submucosal fibroids - these fibroids are uncommon, and grow inside the uterus and project into the space where a baby grows during pregnancy.

Sometimes, fibroids can have a stalk that attaches to the uterus - these are called pedunculated and they are the least common type of fibroid.

What are the Symptoms of Fibroids?

There are a number of symptoms that can show when you have fibroids. These are the most common ones:

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

For many women, this is very common. Some women with fibroids have described soaking through sanitary pads in under an hour. In other cases they have passed blood clots and in some unfortunate reports women haven’t been able to leave the house on the days of heavy flows.

Fatigue and Headaches

As a result of excessive bleeding, some women develop anemia. Anemia is a condition where your body tissue lacks oxygen because previous blood loss means you don’t have enough red blood cells to move oxygen to where it’s needed.

Anemia often results in fatigue, headaches, and lightheadedness. You may also experience pale skin, dizziness, and a fast heartbeat. Anemia itself is quite dangerous and is usually treated with iron supplements to replace the lost iron and vitamin B for low vitamin levels. 

Pelvic Discomfort 

If your fibroids are on the larger side of the scale, they can put pressure on your lower abdomen and pelvis. Most women would describe this as discomfort more than pain, but the pressure can impact day-to-day activities such as bending over without pain, being able to exercise, or even lying face down.

Pelvic Pain

In rare cases, pelvic discomfort actually develops into acute, severe pain. This happens when fibroids go through degeneration, where the fibroid has grown so large that your body can’t provide enough blood and nutrients, and so the fibroid begins to ‘die’. This process can result in severe pain and fever and usually requires medical intervention if symptoms don’t improve within two to four weeks.

In even rarer cases, the pain can develop into chronic pelvic pain.

Incontinence

Experiencing bladder control problems is very common. For many sufferers the urge to urinate arises frequently, especially during the night. In some cases women may find it difficult to urinate despite feeling as though they have a full bladder.

This is usually caused by the fibroids pressing against the bladder, reducing it’s capacity or blocking the outflow. For some women, especially those who don’t need their fibroids removed, treating the bladder problems can result in significant improve in quality of life.

Lower Back Pain 

If a fibroid grows large enough it can press against muscles and nerves of the lower back, leading to pain and discomfort. Lower back pain is very common amongst sufferers of fibroids, and it can also be related to many other health conditions so it’s important to also look for other symptoms.

Rectal Pressure and Constipation

Much like how they affect the bladder, fibroids can also press on the rectum and cause a sensation of fullness. Unfortunately, they can also lead to difficulty in having a bowel movement or cause pain during the movement. In some cases, this can lead to the development of a hemorrhoid.

Pain During Intercourse

Fibroids can make intercourse very uncomfortable or even painful. 

Infertility

In some cases, fibroids can impact your ability to fall pregnant. Research, which we covered in detail in an article discussing fibroids and fertility, found that fibroids caused infertility in only around 1-2% of cases. So while it is a possibility, it’s only a small one and any infertility or problems conceiving should be discussed with your doctor.

Commonly Reported Symptoms

The above list is quite long, and with many health conditions, a long list of symptoms can cause undue stress and anxiety as you may be suffering from one symptom but not actually have fibroids.

Understanding the most commonly reported symptoms may help you make a more informed decision about your potential for fibroids and whether you should seek treatment.

A 2017 study surveyed almost 5,000 women and found that the most commonly reported symptoms of fibroids were:

• Lower back pain (65%), 
• Fatigue/weariness (63%), 
• Bloating (61%), 
• Pelvic pain/cramping during menses (63%), and 
• Heavy bleeding during menses (54%). 

Ready to Discuss Your Symptoms?

At Northern Beaches Interventional Radiology we specialise in minimally invasive treatment of fibroids, helping sufferers get back their quality of life without the side effects of surgery. Book a consultation today and let’s discuss your treatment plan.