Fibroids in the uterus are benign tumors that usually grow in clusters, and they can range from microscopic to weighing several pounds. Many common uterine fibroids symptoms could be indicative of other conditions, which is why this problem often goes undiagnosed. Some symptoms may even go unnoticed completely, or brushed off as normal, and some women get no symptoms of this condition at all. Some of the most common signs of this condition include long, heavy menstrual periods, frequent urination, and lower abdomen pressure, to name a few.
One of the first indicators of uterine fibroids is menstrual period abnormality. Periods that last for more than a week are typically not normal, especially if the flow seems particularly heavy. The presence of blood clots and bleeding in between periods can also be worrisome, especially when this occurs repeatedly. Though some women deal with heavy periods their whole lives, it is not always normal, especially if the issue appears suddenly and continues for months. This condition can eventually lead to anemia, so it is important to get it checked out.
Another common symptom is an increase in urinary frequency. Though of course this symptom could be a sign of one of many problems, when combined with heavy menstrual periods, it should be considered one of the typical uterine fibroids symptoms. Additionally, this condition can make it difficult or painful to empty the bladder, which likely leads to the urinary frequency experienced by most patients. Constipation, or trouble emptying the bowels, can also be one of the uterine fibroids symptoms experienced along with urinary frequency, leading to increased discomfort.
Many women who suffer from this condition report pressure or even pain in their lower abdominal region. This feeling of fullness may be felt all the time, or it could worsen with periods or sexual intercourse. Either way, this feeling is abnormal for most healthy people, and should be reason enough to go to a doctor.
Pain in the pelvis is not the only concern for most patients with uterine fibroids symptoms. Unfortunately, the pain can often radiate to the legs and back, causing general discomfort for most women. This pain might not seem related to fibroids, and can have many other causes, which is why many patients do not report it or consider it important enough to get checked out. If this symptom shows up suddenly with no other explanation, or is combined with the above uterine fibroids symptoms, it is important to report it to a doctor.