symptoms of uterine fibroids
Many women who have uterine fibroids have no symptoms
and never require treatment. However, one out of four women of childbearing
age do suffer from significant symptoms. Uterine fibroid symptoms may
vary depending on the location, size and number of fibroids.
The most common symptom of uterine fibroids is:
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
This may also involved clotting and pain.
Anemia may result from this extensive bleeding. Abnormal bleeding
is the primary uterine fibroid symptom requiring women to seek medical
advice.
Other uterine fibroid symptoms
may include:
- Pelvic pain or pressure
This symptom may appear as a result of the bulk or weight of the fibroids
pressing on other structures in the pelvic area.
- Pain in the back of legs
This uterine fibroid symptom appears as the fibroids press on nerves
that extend to the pelvis and legs.
- Pressure on the bladder
This uterine fibroid symptom can cause frequent urination, urinary
incontinence or urine retention.
- Pressure on the bowel
This can lead to constipation and/or bloating. The constipation may
be exacerbated by iron supplements taken for the anemia caused by
excessive bleeding.
- Lower back pain
- A feeling of pressure or fullness in the lower
abdomen
- An abnormally enlarged abdomen--this may be
mistaken for weight gain or pregnancy.
- Pain during sexual intercourse
Reproductive problems can also be another uterine fibroid symptom.
Infertility, recurrent miscarriage, or premature labor during pregnancy
can be caused by uterine fibroids.
See your health care professional for more information
about uterine fibroid symptoms.
Once a diagnosis has been made of the presence of uterine
fibroids, there are many different uterine
fibroid treatment options.
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