Period Pain (Dysmenorrhea): A Common Sign of Fibroids in NYC
Period pain, also known as dysmenorrhea, can disrupt your work, sleep, relationships, and daily routine. While mild cramping is common during menstruation, severe menstrual cramps are not something you should ignore.
For many women, uterine fibroids are an underlying cause of period pain, which involves intense menstrual cramps in the lower abdomen. Fibroids are noncancerous growths that can change how your uterus contracts and lead to heavier menstrual bleeding, all of which can make your periods significantly more painful.
If you are experiencing painful periods with severe cramping and have been diagnosed with fibroids, American Fibroid Centers’ affiliated fibroid specialists in NYC can help treat your uterine fibroids and painful period symptoms with minimally invasive treatments that can help relieve your pain, lighten your period, and help your menstrual cycle feel manageable again.
Period Pain Symptoms
When fibroids are the cause of your period pain, the discomfort often feels different from typical menstrual cramps. Instead of mild cramping, you may feel deeper, sharper, or more widespread pain.
Because fibroids can distort your uterus and interfere with normal contractions, your body may contract harder and longer during your cycle. That extra strain can make pain linger before your period starts, intensify during heavy flow days, and continue even after bleeding slows. Common symptoms of dysmenorrhea related to uterine fibroids include:
- Severe menstrual cramping in the lower abdomen
- Pain that radiates to your lower back, hips, or thigh
- Heavy bleeding or clots that seem to make cramping worse
- Periods lasting longer than 7 days
- Feeling full or bloated during your cycle
- Fatigue, dizziness, or weakness from heavy blood loss
Period Pain Causes
Uterine fibroids are a common cause of period pain (secondary dysmenorrhea) when severe cramping occurs with heavy menstrual bleeding, clots, or feelings of pelvic pressure. Fibroids can enlarge or distort the uterus, which may interfere with normal uterine contractions during your menstrual cycle.
Other gynecologic conditions can also cause painful periods, which is why paying attention to your symptoms matters to help determine fibroid-related pain from other causes. Common causes of painful periods include:
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Ovarian cysts
- Uterine polyps
- Hormonal imbalances
If you’re experiencing fibroid symptoms in New York City or nearby, our fibroid specialists can help identify the cause and give you relief from your symptoms.
How Do Fibroids Cause Painful Periods?
Uterine fibroids can make your periods more painful because they interfere with how your uterus normally sheds its lining during menstruation. Each month, your uterus contracts to push out the lining, a process triggered by hormones called prostaglandins. When fibroids are present, they can enlarge your uterus and sometimes thicken the lining. Because of this, your uterus may need to contract harder and more often to move the tissue out, which can make cramps feel stronger and last longer than usual.
Fibroids can also place pressure on nearby pelvic nerves and organs, such as your bladder or bowels, creating a heavy, aching feeling in your pelvis that often becomes worse during your period. Certain types of fibroids, especially those growing within the uterine wall (intramural) or near the uterine lining (submucosal), are more likely to cause severe cramps.
At the same time, fibroids often lead to heavier bleeding and blood clots. Passing clots can stretch the uterus and trigger even stronger contractions, which may make your period pain feel overwhelming and harder to manage.
Fibroid Treatment for Period Pain in New York City
When your painful periods are caused by uterine fibroids, the most effective way to find relief from your pain is to treat your fibroids. Shrinking fibroids can reduce the pressure and stronger uterine contractions that make menstrual cramps so severe.
American Fibroid Centers’ affiliated fibroid specialists in New York City take the time to understand your symptoms, the size and location of your fibroids, and how your periods are affecting your daily life. From there, they develop a treatment plan designed to relieve fibroid-related pain while prioritizing minimally invasive options and preserving your uterus, including uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).
Lifestyle Changes for Period Pain Relief in NYC
In combination with fibroid treatment, certain lifestyle changes may help reduce some of your period pain symptoms. Eating a balanced diet with anti-inflammatory foods, staying physically active, managing stress, and using over-the-counter pain relievers can all help ease menstrual cramps and make your cycle more manageable.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization for Period Pain in NYC
UFE is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that works by blocking blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink over time. It’s a same-day procedure that offers fewer complications than major surgery, preserves the uterus, and provides relief for fibroid-related symptoms, such as severe menstrual cramps.
What to Expect from UFE
Period Pain from Fibroids Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, uterine fibroids can cause painful periods, also known as secondary dysmenorrhea. Fibroids can enlarge the uterus and affect normal uterine contractions during your menstrual cycle. When fibroids cause you to have painful periods, it can lead to stronger cramps, heavier bleeding, and pelvic pressure that make period pain more severe than typical menstrual cramps.
Period pain caused by fibroids often feels deeper and more intense than normal menstrual cramps. You may experience severe lower abdominal cramping, pelvic pressure, lower back pain, or pain that radiates into your hips or thighs. Many women also notice heavier bleeding and blood clots.
Fibroids can make menstrual cramps worse because they change how the uterus contracts during your period. The uterus may need to contract more forcefully to shed its lining and control heavier bleeding. These stronger contractions can cause more severe and longer-lasting cramping.
Many women with fibroids experience both heavy menstrual bleeding and severe cramps. Fibroids increase blood flow to the uterus and may enlarge the uterine lining, which can result in heavier periods and stronger contractions during menstruation.
Our Fibroid Specialists in New York City
American Fibroid Centers’ affiliated fibroid specialists in New York City are board‑certified interventional radiologists that specialize in treating fibroids. They perform UFE to improve your uncomfortable fibroid symptoms, such as period pain, and help reduce heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and other symptoms that may be affecting your daily life.
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From the Experts
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