Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MD

En Español (Spanish Version)

Many fibroids do not cause symptoms. If a fibroid does cause symptoms, it may be because of the size or location of the fibroid.

Symptoms range from mild to severe. Large fibroids can produce symptoms, such as:

Pelvic pain
Low back or leg pain
Feeling of pelvic pressure
Pain during sex
Frequent need to urinate
Constipation
Bloating
Enlarged uterus, giving the appearance of pregnancy
Infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes

Bleeding symptoms include:

Heavy menstrual bleeding
Clots in your menstrual flow
Long periods
Bleeding between periods
Increased cramping during periods
Miscarriage

If heavy bleeding continues for a period of time, iron-deficiency anemia may develop. Symptoms of anemia include:

Weakness
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Pale skin
Lightheadedness

REFERENCES:

Uterine fibroids. The National Uterine Fibroids Foundation website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed December 7, 2017.

Uterine fibroids fact sheet. Women's Health—US Department of Health and Human Services website. Available at: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/uterine-fibroids. Updated February 6, 2017. Accessed December 7, 2017.

Uterine leiomyoma. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115612/Uterine-leiomyoma . Updated April 15, 2016. Accessed December 7, 2017.

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Last reviewed November 2018 by Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG
Last Updated: 12/20/2014

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