Part UT Health San Antonio
UT Health San AntonioUT Health San Antonio

UTSA Part of UT Health San Antonio

Contact Us | 210-450-9000

Menu
  • Find a Provider
  • Services
  • Cancer Types
  • Locations
  • Patient Care
  • Cancer Center
  • MyChart
  • X
  • Conditions
  • Conditions In-depth
  • Procedures
  • Wellness Centers
  • Natural & Alternative
  • Drug Info
  • Procedure Animations
  • Wellness Videos
Symptom CheckerQuick Nav
 
Health Library Home>Conditions InDepth>Article

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MD
Main Page
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Screening
Reducing Your Risk
Talking to Your Doctor
Living With Fibroids
Resource Guide

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: http://www.nuff.org/health_uterinefibroids.htm. 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.

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

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.

Copyright ©  EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy
Physicians and care providers of
UT Health San Antonio

8300 Floyd Curl Dr.

San Antonio, TX 78229

210-450-9000

Connect with us
  • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
  • Language Assistance
We make lives better ©

We're a part of UT Health San Antonio, provider of comprehensive health,  dental, &  cancer care,  advanced academics  and  life-saving research.

Web Privacy | Links from websites affiliated with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio's website (uthscsa.edu) to other websites do not constitute or imply university endorsement of those sites, their content, or products and services associated with those sites. The content on this website is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Health information on this site is not meant to be used to diagnose or treat conditions. Consult a health care provider if you are in need of treatment.