While three-fourths of all women develop uterine fibroids
at some point in their life, most never even know they have
them. The Los Angeles fibroid doctors at LA Fibroids have seen
many, many cases where the presence of fibroids was discovered
long after they first appeared and where they had been "hidden"
for years.
The most common symptoms caused by fibroids are heavy vaginal
bleeding, pelvic pain with menses, intercourse or exercise,
infertility, urinary frequency, constipation, and abdominal
distention.
The symptoms you may be having aren't based on the size of your
fibroids as much as their location. Submucosal myomas, which
grow beneath the uterine lining (endometrium), usually cause
heavy bleeding and can lead to infertility, while subserosal
myomas, those that may project out from the uterus, can cause
mass effect. Intramural myomas, or those that are completely
or nearly completely contained within the Uterine wall (myometrium),
often have a combination of symptoms.
Heavy menstrual bleeding - Fibroids can often produce changes
in the menstrual flow or frequency. Blood clots can show up
in the flow, too, and while none of these symptoms are life-threatening,
they may indicate the presence of fibroids. If the fibroids
are removed or treated, these symptoms often disappear.
Lengthy menstrual periods, or bleeding between menstrual periods
- The presence of fibroids can affect your menstrual flow in
many ways. Fibroids can result in seemingly spontaneous bleeding
or can produce a menstrual period that goes on much longer than
expected.
Pain or pressure in the pelvic area - If the fibroids become
numerous or large enough, there may be pain or pressure in the
pelvic area. Conditions other than fibroids can cause these
feelings, too, so it is always best to have a medical examination
to determine the cause.
Frequent urination - The mass of fibroids may become large enough
to squeeze or press against the bladder. When this happens,
the bladder cannot comfortably hold as much and it may become
necessary to urinate more often. It is also possible for the
bladder to unexpectedly release its contents.
Constipation - The appearance of constipation may be due to
a number of causes. In some cases, the presence of fibroids
may increase or cause this condition. If constipation is common
or last for several days, it is best to check with a qualified
medical person to determine its cause and treatment.
Backache or pains in the legs - Fibroids can sometimes cause
pain or aches in the back or lower extremities. If there is
no obvious reason for this pain, such as exercise or exertion,
and it does not go away, seeing your doctor may be the first
step toward regaining your health.
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