Common Fibroid Symptoms

There are several common fibroid symptoms. Unfortunately, women often mistake the symptoms for something else or ignore them. Unless fibroids are causing severe pain, women will rarely see a doctor because of these symptoms. Fibroids are most often discovered during a pelvic exam or prenatal ultrasound.

Are Fibroids Dangerous?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus. Fibroids do not increase a woman's chance of developing cancer, and the fibroids themselves rarely turn cancerous. There are treatments available to shrink fibroids, or they can be surgically removed.

While women of all ages can develop fibroids, women of childbearing age seem especially susceptible to uterine fibroids. Fibroid growth is triggered by excess estrogen, so women who are trying to conceive or who are using hormone-based therapies have a higher chance of getting them.

In most cases, fibroids go undetected and present little risk to overall health. However, fibroids can interfere with a woman's ability to conceive by making it difficult or impossible for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterine wall.

Recognizing Fibroid Symptoms 
Fibroid symptoms vary depending on the size and location of the fibroid. The symptoms are often mild, but in some cases they can be so severe that they interfere with daily activities.

Fibroids are sensitive to the hormonal changes, so as women progresses through her menstrual cycle, the symptoms may increase. As estrogen levels increase the fibroids may grow, which may causes some symptoms to worsen over time.

The most common fibroid symptoms include the following:

• Menstrual Bleeding: Fibroids change the amount of menstrual bleeding. Women with fibroids will experience heavy or excessive menstrual bleeding, sometimes having to change sanitary pads hourly. Periods may last longer than seven days and the woman may pass blood clots.
• Pelvic Pain: Fibroids can cause a feeling of pressure in the pelvis. The pain may be more severe when a woman tries to bend over.
• Bladder Problems: Some fibroids can interfere with bladder functions, causing incontinence, difficulty emptying the bladder and frequent urination.
• Infertility: Occasionally, fibroids are responsible for a woman's failure to conceive.
• Constipation: Some expanding fibroids can place pressure on the rectum, causing constipation. 
• Pain or Discomfort During Sexual Intercourse: Depending on where the fibroids are located, a woman may experience pain during sexual intercourse.

If you experience these symptoms, it's a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Noninvasive techniques, including pelvic exams and scans, can be used to locate fibroids. Medication can be used to shrink them, or surgery may be needed to remove them.