Understanding the Signs of Uterine Fibroids and When to Seek Treatment

Published On: January 7, 2025
uterine fibroid embolization in Clinton, MD

Some women with uterine fibroids don’t have symptoms. But a third have severe symptoms that diminish their quality of life. Learning the signs helps you identify the problem and get treatment before complications develop.

Uterine fibroids affect 70%-80% of women during their reproductive years. Of these, nearly one-third experience symptoms severe enough to affect their well-being.

Seeking early treatment does more than improve your current symptoms. It also prevents fibroid complications like infertility, preterm birth, and anemia.

Conventional fibroid options are limited, but you have a new, innovative option: uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). UFE is a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks fibroids and preserves the uterus.

Gynecologists don’t perform UFEs. They refer you to a vascular specialist like Nordine Gaugau, MD. As an expert in vascular interventional radiology, Dr. Gaugau and our team at Image Guided Surgery Center have years of experience effectively treating fibroids with UFE.

Always remind your physicians that there are minimally invasive options available. In fact, UFE should be the first option to consider before traditional surgery.

Uterine fibroids explained

Fibroids are growths that develop in or on the uterus. They arise from smooth muscle tissues that grow in response to hormones like estrogen.

Most women develop fibroids between ages 30 and 40. After menopause, new fibroids are possible but uncommon, and existing fibroids tend to shrink.

Fibroid number and size

You can have one fibroid or many. Some fibroids stay small; others grow 5-6 inches wide. A fibroid attached to the outer uterine wall can get large enough to fill the pelvic area. Fibroids may suddenly enlarge or grow at a slow, steady pace.

Fibroid location

Fibroids most often develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. They can also grow under the lining inside your uterus or in the tissues lining the outer uterine wall. Pedunculated fibroids attach to the outer uterine wall with a stem-like structure.

Signs you may have uterine fibroids

Whether you have symptoms depends on the number, size, and location of your fibroids. Small fibroids may never cause problems. If symptoms appear, you might experience one or more of the following:

1.  Abnormal uterine bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding, a common fibroid symptom, includes:

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Long menstrual periods (longer than seven days)
  • More frequent menstrual periods
  • Bleeding or spotting between periods
  • Bleeding or spotting after sex

Your bleeding is heavy if it soaks through one or more pads or tampons every hour, you need to wear more than one pad, or you must change pads or tampons during the night.

2.  Pain

Fibroids often cause pain as they grow larger and the uterus enlarges. In some cases, the uterus reaches the same size as one 4-5 months pregnant.

Fibroid-related pain includes:

  • Pelvic pain or pressure
  • Pain during sex
  • Abdominal or lower back pain
  • More severe menstrual cramps
  • New menstrual cramps

Fibroids often cause a dull, aching pain or pressure, but each woman is different. You could also experience sudden, sharp pain.

3.  Changes in bladder and bowel habits

Large fibroids push against the nearby organs, including the bladder and rectum, causing difficulty urinating, frequent urination, or constipation. You may also experience bladder or rectal pain.

4.  Reproductive problems

Fibroids may cause reproductive problems such as infertility, premature labor, breech presentation, and labor complications. These complications typically occur when fibroids change the shape of the uterus, affecting the inner cavity.

5.  Fatigue

You’re at risk of iron deficiency anemia if your fibroids cause heavy menstrual bleeding. Excessive bleeding depletes iron and causes:

  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Pale skin
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Sore tongue
  • Brittle nails
  • Chest pain
  • Cold hands and feet

Without treatment, iron deficiency anemia may lead to complications like an irregular heartbeat.

When to seek treatment

Fibroids don’t need treatment if they don’t cause symptoms, and don’t affect your ability to get pregnant. However, if you have symptoms that don’t improve, you should consult a specialist with expertise in managing uterine fibroids and adenomyosis.

The symptoms listed above are signs of uterine fibroids but can also signal other problems. For example, symptoms like abnormal uterine bleeding and pelvic pain may be caused by:

  • Uterine polyps
  • Endometriosis
  • Adenomyosis
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Thyroid disease

Each condition requires a different treatment and customized care.

Find effective fibroid treatment

Call Image Guided Surgery Center or schedule a consultation online today to learn how UFE can restore your health.

References:

Uterine fibroids, https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/uterine-fibroids Uterine fibroid symptoms,

https://www.brighamandwomens.org/obgyn/infertility-reproductive-surgery/cysts-and-fibroids/fibroid-sympt oms-and-diagnosis

Heavy menstrual bleeding, https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/heavy-menstrual-bleeding Iron deficiency anemia,

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034

Epidemiology of uterine fibroids, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31960950/