Fibroids symptoms explained by a doctor
What's the lowdown?
30% of women experience heavy bleeding with their fibroids1
More than 50% of women struggle with some form of heavy bleeding, tummy pain or infertility with their fibroids1
Symptoms of fibroids are not dependent on the type, location or size of them
Some people might experience symptoms of fibroids, other may not have any at all!
Let’s recap on fibroids
Fibroids are a gynaecological condition affecting 70% of assigned females at birth (AFABs)2 at some point in their lifetime. There is no exact cause of fibroids but there is a link with genetics or increased oestrogen exposure. African Americans are also more likely to develop fibroids3.
But what exactly are fibroids? They are the most common benign gynaecological tumour3. They are overgrowths of the muscular and connective tissue layer in the uterus. Intramural, subserosal and submucosal fibroids are the 3 main types of fibroids, and in some rare cases, cervical fibroids can arise.
That’s a short and sweet summary of fibroids. But there is so much more to them, and we have an article covering the various aspects of fibroids in more detail.
Today we will focus on the symptoms fibroids can trouble you with.
Symptoms of uterine fibroids
The type and size of a fibroid do not determine the fibroid symptoms you might experience. Sometimes, you might live a trouble-free life with fibroids. In other cases, the symptoms can have a mild, moderate or severe effect on your quality of life.
Generally, fibroids can present with4:
- Heavy bleeding during your period (menorrhagia)
- Bleeding between your period (intermenstrual bleeding)
- Anaemia (a low level of red blood cells due to heavy blood loss and low levels of iron)
Anaemia is more than just low iron, it can cause symptoms like dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath and even chest pain, not to mention looking like you’re an extra in Twilight (aka pale)5.
When your fibroids become too large or grow into the pelvic area, they can cause a new set of symptoms known as obstructive symptoms4:
- Abdominal or pelvic pain (due to the fibroid putting pressure on surrounding organs)
- Needing to pee more (as the fibroid can press on the bladder)
- Tummy swelling (with a large fibroid, it can make your tummy look larger)
I asked my mother what it was like to live with fibroids: “My monthly periods became increasingly heavier that I had to change my heavily soaked pad every 2 hours. I assumed wrongly this was a pre-menopausal phase of my mid-forties and so did not bother to consult a doctor. I lived with terribly heavy periods for a while until one day, I had an embarrassing situation at a wedding where I leaked through my clothes. I realised then something was not right. A doctor’s consult diagnosed me as having multiple fist-sized fibroids which needed surgical intervention.”
Can my fibroids be something else?
Symptoms of different gynaecological conditions do tend to overlap. So it can be tough to know exactly what is the reason behind your symptoms without speaking to a medical professional. We have an amazing team of in-house women’s health GPs, who can offer a listening ear for all your struggles and discuss treatment options to alleviate your symptoms. Don’t suffer any longer, your health is very important. Skip the queues and book directly with us today.
Fibroids v Endometriosis
Endometriosis can similarly cause heavy periods, tummy swelling (bloating), painful periods shooting to the back and legs and infertility. Endometriosis is more difficult to see on an ultrasound, whereas fibroids are often diagnosed on an ultrasound scan. Because fibroids and endometriosis are both common, you could have both – this is where a doctor will talk to you in depth and work out which condition is causing your main symptoms.
Fibroids & Pregnancy
In some rare cases, fibroids have been a barrier to conception5. Due to the location or size of the fibroid, it can prevent the egg from nesting in the womb or act as a barrier to fertilisation. Submucosal fibroids might also block the fallopian tube, affecting the egg’s ability to reach the uterus to meet the sperm.
However, this does not mean you cannot get pregnant or carry a baby to term with a fibroid. It is not clear cut and the management of fibroids during pregnancy can vary case by case. There’s a lot more about fibroids and pregnancy to learn about in our other article.
Fibroids after menopause: Symptoms
Fibroids are notoriously oestrogen-dependent. The key marker of menopause is the decline in oestrogen. Put them both together, this means as our oestrogen levels slowly drop during perimenopause and menopause, your fibroids are likely to shrink as well and so your symptoms should improve6, hurrah!
Summary
Fibroids affect us differently. There are no set symptoms associated with fibroids but heavy bleeding is the most common symptom. Medical advancements have come a long way and there are a variety of treatment types that can ease your bothersome symptoms.
It is important you reach out to your doctor for help in managing these symptoms, you do not have to suffer in silence.
Dr Fatema Dawoodbhoy
Fatema is currently training in London as an Academic doctor, with a special interest in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She is passionate about championing women to understand their bodies better and prioritise their health. She understands the importance of clinically accurate articles and has been writing engaging and educative medical content for 5 years.
Our medical review process
This article has been medically reviewed for factual and up to date information by a Lowdown doctor.