Leiomyomas — more often referred to as uterine fibroids — are benign growths that form in or on your uterus. As many as 80% of women develop them by the time they turn 50.
Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but when they do, they can be debilitating. If you’re wondering whether you might have fibroids, this blog is for you.
Here are some of the most common signs of fibroids, courtesy of our team of board-certified fertility specialists and OB/GYNs here at Westover Hills Women's Health.
Heavy bleeding is often one of the first signs that may make you wonder if you’re dealing with a fibroid. We consider your period as heavy if you:
Heavy bleeding is a nuisance, but it can also affect your health. Consistently heavy periods can lead to anemia, which causes fatigue and weakness.
Fibroids can cause a sensation of pain or pressure in your pelvic area. This can manifest as:
The size and location of the fibroids often determine the severity of the pain and pressure. If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort, don’t brush it off. Other gynecologic conditions can also cause pelvic pain and pressure, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis.
Fibroids can cause pelvic and lower abdominal pain at any point in your menstrual cycle, but they also tend to make your periods more painful. If cramping and heavy bleeding interfere with your quality of life, please let us know. There’s no need to suffer in silence. We can help.
If you’re making frequent trips to the bathroom, fibroids might be the cause. When fibroids press against your bladder, they can reduce its capacity. You might notice that you have to use the restroom more than normal, or when you do go, you have difficulty emptying your bladder fully.
This is usually only a symptom of fibroids when the fibroid pushes on your bladder, so it isn’t a universal symptom.
Just like a fibroid pressing on your bladder causes issues, a fibroid pressing on your rectum can also cause problems. You might struggle with constipation and feeling incomplete even if you eat a fiber-rich diet.
Note: Constipation can also be the result of dehydration and not eating enough fiber. If you’re constipated, drink more water and adjust your diet to see if that improves your symptoms.
Fibroids, especially larger ones, can cause lower back pain. This pain is often due to the pressure they place on the muscles and nerves in your lower back.
Believe it or not, pain during your period that runs down the back of your thighs can also be a telltale sign of fibroids. When fibroids press on a nerve, they can cause pain anywhere along the nerve, including the back of your thighs. This is known as compression neuropathy.
Now is the perfect time to seek medical advice. If you have any concerning symptoms — whether you think it’s related to a fibroid or not — you don’t need to try to power through the pain.
At Westover Hills Women’s Health, we’re here to help you get the answers and the relief you need.
When you arrive at one of our four Texas offices, our first step is to confirm the source of your symptoms. We conduct an exam, review your symptoms, and order diagnostic imaging tests (like an ultrasound) to either confirm or rule out fibroids.
If fibroids are the culprit, you might benefit from gynecologic robotic surgery. We also use radiofrequency ablation — part of the FDA-cleared treatment called Acessa® — to remove the fibroids with targeted heat energy.
Do you spot any of these telltale signs of fibroids? If so, call to schedule an appointment at one of our San Antonio, Texas, locations.
