Fibroid symptoms

Around one in three women have fibroids. These non-cancerous growths only develop during the reproductive years, usually between ages 16 and 50. They are also called uterine fibroids, leiomyomas or myomas. 

Learning that you have fibroids can be worrying. However, they almost never develop into cancer and do not increase your risk of womb cancer. 

Sometimes fibroids are so small that they can only be seen under a microscope. However, they can also grow to be so large that they change the shape of your womb and push against your organs. You can have one or several and may not even know that you have them as fibroids are often symptomless. 

You may be diagnosed with fibroids incidentally during a prenatal ultrasound or a pelvic examination. There are different types of fibroids based on their location: 

• Intramural fibroids — these occur inside the muscle wall of your womb
• Submucosal fibroids — these bulge into your womb 
• Subserosal fibroids — these bulge outwards from your womb 

But what causes fibroids? The cause isn’t currently known but the sex hormone oestrogen is involved — oestrogen causes fibroids to grow. This is why fibroids occur when your oestrogen levels are high during your reproductive years and shrink after menopause when your oestrogen levels drop off. 

Uterine fibroid symptoms

If you have fibroids, you may not have any symptoms. However, around one in three women with fibroids do have symptoms. Symptoms will depend on the size, number and location of your fibroids and sometimes, where you are in your menstrual cycle.

Here are 10 uterine fibroid symptoms to look out for:

1. Heavy periods or painful periods

Fibroids won’t stop your periods but they can make them heavy and/or painful. 

Heavy periods (dysmenorrhoea) include periods that last for seven days or more and/or bleeding that soaks through your sanitary product in an hour, or means you need to use two sanitary products at the same time. You may also notice large blood clots in your menstrual blood. 

Heavy bleeding during your periods may cause you to lose too much iron, which is carried by your blood cells — this is called iron-deficiency anaemia and can be treated by taking prescription iron tablets. Anaemia can make you feel extremely tired (fatigued) and breathless, as well as cause headaches.

2. Tummy pain, bloating or swelling

Large uterine fibroid symptoms often include discomfort or pain in your lower tummy. You may notice that your tummy is bloated or swollen too. 

3. Lower back pain 

In rare cases, fibroids can push against muscles and nerves in your lower back, causing pain. This is a more common symptom of large uterine fibroids, particularly on the back of your womb. However, back pain is very common and may not be caused by fibroids but by another condition.

4. Leg pain

A large fibroid can push against your pelvic nerve or sciatic nerve — in both cases, this can cause pain to radiate down your legs. If your sciatic nerve is compressed, you may also find it difficult to stand up for long periods of time. 

5. Pelvic discomfort or pain 

Large fibroids can cause a feeling of heaviness or pressure in your pelvis or lower tummy. This usually causes discomfort, particularly if you are lying on your front, bending down or exercising. For some women, this discomfort can become painful and persistent. 

In rare cases, pain may suddenly become severe. This occurs when a fibroid outgrows its blood supply and starts to degenerate. The pain usually goes away on its own after two to four weeks. Over-the-counter painkillers can help you manage your pain. 

6. Needing to urinate often and other bladder problems

Your bladder sits below and in front of your womb. If your fibroids push against your bladder, you may need to urinate more often, which can disturb your sleep at night. Depending on exactly where your fibroids are pushing against your bladder, they may also prevent you from completely emptying your bladder or make it difficult to control the flow of urine. 

7. Constipation and other bowel problems

The lower part of your bowel sits behind your womb and if your fibroids push against it, this can make it difficult to have a bowel movement, causing constipation — although this is not common. Constipation can mean you strain more when trying to pass a stool, which can cause haemorrhoids, more commonly known as piles.

8. Discomfort or pain during sex

Fibroids pushing against your vagina or the neck of your womb (cervix) can make sex uncomfortable or painful. This may only occur when you are in certain positions or during certain times of your menstrual cycle. 

9. Problems during pregnancy

For most women, fibroids don’t cause any problems during pregnancy. However, some women may feel discomfort or pain — this may be caused by the fibroid outgrowing its blood supply or its blood supply becoming twisted and therefore suddenly cut off. In very rare cases, fibroids can cause a miscarriage.

However, fibroids do increase your risk of early labour, needing to deliver your baby via caesarean section and your baby lying with its bottom down (breech) instead of its head. 

10. Infertility

If your fibroids grow into your womb they may block your fallopian tubes or make it harder for a fertilised egg to implant into your womb lining. This can make it harder to get pregnant or cause infertility. 

When to see a doctor about fibroids

If you notice a lump or mass in your tummy or have persistent pain in your pelvis, make sure you see your GP. You may not have fibroids, however, your symptoms need to be investigated so you can get appropriate treatment. 

If you have already been diagnosed with fibroids and are pregnant, make sure you tell your midwife or doctor that you have fibroids. They can then make plans in case your fibroids cause any problems during your pregnancy or labour.