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Uterine Fibroid Symptoms

Uterine fibroids don't always announce themselves clearly. Some women experience a single symptom; others deal with several at once. And because many fibroid symptoms overlap with other conditions, getting the right diagnosis can take time. If something has felt off and you haven't gotten a clear answer yet, fibroids may be worth exploring.

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Uterine Fibroid Symptoms
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Why Recognizing Fibroid Symptoms Matters

Fibroid symptoms often develop gradually, which can make them easy to absorb into your routine. Heavy periods start to feel normal. Pelvic pressure gets chalked up to stress. Fatigue blends into the pace of a busy life. But fibroids affect up to 70 to 80% of women by age 50, and the symptoms they cause are not something you should have to work around indefinitely. 

Recognizing your symptoms for what they are is the first step toward understanding what's going on and what can be done about it. Below are the most common signs that fibroids may be affecting your health and your quality of life.

Bleeding and Menstrual Symptoms

Fibroids are one of the most common causes of abnormal uterine bleeding. Depending on their size and location, they can disrupt the normal menstrual cycle in ways that go far beyond a "heavy period."

Heavy Periods

Periods that last longer than seven days, require frequent pad or tampon changes, or leave you planning your life around your cycle are not normal — even if you've been told they are. Fibroids, particularly those that grow near the inner lining of the uterus, are one of the most common causes of excessively heavy menstrual bleeding.
Period Blood Clots

Passing large blood clots during your period (especially clots larger than a quarter) can be a sign that fibroids are affecting how your uterus sheds its lining. Frequent or unusually large clots often accompany heavy bleeding and may indicate that your body is struggling to manage the volume of blood loss.
Anemia

When heavy bleeding continues cycle after cycle, your body may not be able to replace red blood cells fast enough, leading to iron-deficiency anemia. Symptoms include persistent fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, and difficulty concentrating. Many women don't realize their exhaustion is connected to their periods until a blood test reveals low iron levels.

Pain and Pressure Symptoms

As fibroids grow, they can press against surrounding organs and tissues, creating pain and pressure that may be constant, cyclical, or triggered by specific activities.

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain from fibroids can range from a dull, persistent ache to sharp cramping — and it doesn't always follow your menstrual cycle. Larger fibroids or clusters of fibroids can create a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the lower abdomen that many women describe as feeling "full" even when they haven't eaten.
Pain During Sex

Fibroids located in certain positions within the uterus can cause discomfort or pain during intercourse. This is a symptom many women hesitate to bring up, but it's a recognized effect of fibroids and one your physician can help address. You shouldn't have to accept pain during intimacy as something you just live with.
Back Pain

Lower back pain that doesn't respond to typical remedies may be caused by fibroids pressing against the muscles and nerves of the lower back. This is especially common with fibroids that grow on the back wall of the uterus. If your back pain seems to worsen around your period or doesn't have a clear explanation, fibroids could be a factor.

Bladder, Bowel, and Body Changes

Fibroids don't just affect your period. As they grow, they can press against your bladder, bowel, and surrounding structures, causing changes in how your body looks and feels that aren't always easy to explain.

Urinary Frequency

Fibroids that grow on the front wall of the uterus can press against your bladder, making you feel like you need to urinate more often than usual — even when your bladder isn't full. Some women also experience difficulty fully emptying their bladder or find themselves waking up multiple times during the night.
Bloating

Fibroids can cause noticeable abdominal swelling or the feeling of fullness, tightness, or bloating in the lower belly. Large fibroids or clusters of fibroids can physically enlarge the uterus, sometimes to the point where the change is visible. Many women describe looking or feeling pregnant when they're not. 

Bowel Changes

Fibroids that grow near the back of the uterus can press against the rectum and lower bowel, leading to constipation, difficulty with bowel movements, or a feeling of incomplete emptying. These symptoms are less commonly associated with fibroids, which means they're also less likely to be correctly identified without imaging.

Conditions That Often Occur Alongside Fibroids

Fibroids don't always exist in isolation. Two related conditions, adenomyosis and endometriosis, are frequently found alongside fibroids and can cause overlapping symptoms that complicate diagnosis and treatment planning. Understanding whether one or both of these conditions may be present is an important part of getting the right care.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis occurs when tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus itself. It can cause many of the same symptoms as fibroids, such as heavy bleeding, severe cramping, and pelvic pressure, which is why the two conditions are often confused or coexist without the patient knowing. Adenomyosis can also affect how well certain fibroid treatments work, making it important to identify before choosing a treatment path.
Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus — on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other pelvic structures. Symptoms include painful periods, chronic pelvic pain, pain during sex, and, in some cases, difficulty getting pregnant. Endometriosis and fibroids can occur together, and their symptoms frequently overlap, which is why a thorough evaluation is important for getting an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment plan.

When Should You Talk to a Fibroid Specialist?

Fibroids are common and highly treatable — but they're also frequently underdiagnosed. If fibroid symptoms have been affecting your daily life, a consultation can give you clarity on what's happening and what comes next.

A few signs that it's time to schedule a consultation:

  • Your periods have become heavier, longer, or more painful over time. 
  • You're experiencing pelvic pressure, bloating, or pain that doesn't have a clear explanation. 
  • You've been treated for anemia or fatigue without anyone investigating the underlying cause. 
  • You're noticing changes in bladder or bowel habits alongside other symptoms. 
  • You've been managing symptoms on your own, and they're not improving.
Request an Appointment When Should You Talk to a Fibroid Specialist? Request an Appointment 866-522-4866 When Should You Talk to a Fibroid Specialist? 866-522-4866

Meet Our Uterine Fibroid Specialists

  • Dr. Danny Chan
    Dr. Danny Chan
    Interventional radiologist
  • Dr. Suzanne Slonim
    Dr. Suzanne Slonim
    Founder & medical director
  • Dr. John Fischer
    Dr. John Fischer
    Interventional radiologist
  • Dr. Cathryn Shaw
    Dr. Cathryn Shaw
    Interventional radiologist

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Professional & friendly staff. During the entire process leading up to my procedure, everything was very professional and well-organized. When I arrived, Dr. Shaw came out, introduced herself to my family, and explained the procedure in detail which was very important for them to hear directly from her. Dr. Shaw has amazing bedside manners, as did the nurses and my anesthesiologist. They all helped me feel calm and at ease. Dr. Shaw has a beautiful spirit, and it truly shows that she cares about her patients. Thank you!

Katrina L.

Great and professional and fast service! I had gone to several doctors and receive no solid treatment plan or any answers for my symptoms. I eventually ended up in the emergency room because my symptoms had become severe. I immediately knew the difference the first time I made my appointment with this practice. They were professional and understanding and booked me within a couple weeks versus months without any solid treatment plan or help with other doctors. Please go here! You won’t regret it!

Fiona T.

The follow up, scheduling and surgery prep teams were thorough. I didn’t have to remember things, they did it for me! The staff over explained things, made sure they let me know the next step before touching me or changing something. I felt taken care of, informed and confident in my care team. They take pain management seriously and proactively, they want you to be comfortable and stay that way. Dr Chan was great throughout! He answered all my questions and spent as much time with me as I needed. I never felt rushed, like an inconvenience or pressured.

Tiffany V.

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