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Uterine Fibroids Symptoms

What are the Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids?

Women with uterine fibroids usually do not experience any symptoms or require medical care. But if symptoms do arise, they can significantly affect your quality of life and long-term health. The severity of your symptoms will depend on the location, size, and number of fibroids present in the uterus. 

If you think you might have fibroids, it’s important to schedule a consultation with an affiliated physician at American Fibroid Centers to receive an accurate diagnosis. Once fibroids are confirmed, our team will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs.

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Common Uterine Fibroids Symptoms

Fibroids typically show up in women in their 20-30’s, while most become symptomatic  in their late 30s or early 40s but can last into their 50’s.  The symptoms women experience as a result of the fibroids can be debilitating. Fibroids can cause excessive bleeding and lead to low red blood cell count, called anemia.  Women with anemia can feel extremely tired, but are forced to get up and go to work and take care of the household.  

In order to stay awake, they may drink significant amount of caffeine and eat sugary foods/drinks to stay awake leading to unwanted weight gain.  Obesity can result in higher levels of estrogen which can cause the fibroids to grow even further.  On top of that, large fibroids put pressure on the surrounding organs in the pelvis leading to  frequent urination, constipation, pelvic and back pain, and pain during sexual intercourse.  Inmany  cases, women with fibroids can feel the bulge in their lower abdomen and pelvis similar to feeling their growing uterus when being pregnant.

Abnormal Bleeding

Fibroids recruit blood vessels and absorb blood from the circulation similar to a sponge absorbing water. During menses, the blood releases from the large reservoirs and results in excessive bleeding that can last more than 7 days and require multiple changes in pads and tampons.  The bleeding can difficult to manage to the point that women don’t feel comfortable being out in public for fear of embarrassment from outward bleeding. The fibroids located closer to the uterine cavity tend to cause most of the problems with bleeding. In addition, if the uterus does not contract properly, it’s unable to stop the bleeding.

Anemia

As we know, some women experience heavy bleeding due to their uterine fibroids. This excessive blood loss can lead to anemia, which results from a lack of supply of healthy red blood cells in the body. Different types of fibroids may cause more bleeding than others. The good news is that both fibroids and anemia are treatable to improve your quality of life.

Lower Abdominal Pain or Pressure

Understandably, many women confuse fibroid pain with normal menstrual cramps. Fibroid pain most often occurs in women with large uterine fibroids. Some may experience chronic abdominal pain from their fibroids, making it difficult to move or perform normal tasks. You may also feel a heaviness or pressure in your lower abdomen that is more uncomfortable than painful. The pressure that large fibroids have on surrounding organs is responsible for the back pain, need to pee often, pain during sex, and constipation.

Frequent Urination

The most common bladder symptom of uterine fibroids is needing to urinate frequently. As fibroids grow, they can expand the uterus which compresses the bladder and reduces its capacity. This can be a stressful and unpleasant feeling, causing you to always be searching for a  nearby restroom, constantly waking up in the middle of the night, or canceling plans or shifting your schedule based on your physical needs.

Pain During Sexual Intercourse

Uterine fibroids can make sex painful or uncomfortable. The pain may occur in only specific positions or at certain times during the menstrual cycle. Along with affecting your physical well-being, pain during sex can negatively impact your emotional relationships. If your doctor doesn’t ask about this symptom, be sure to mention it during your consultation.

Severe Menstrual Cramps

Aside from heavy and irregular bleeding, fibroids can lead to other symptoms such as painful cramping in the abdomen and back. During your period, the uterus contracts to get rid of the blood and lining of the uterine cavity.. Hormone-like substances called prostaglandins trigger pain and inflammation during these contractions.  The presence of Fibroids are linked to higher levels of prostaglandins, causing more intense and prolonged cramping. “Retrograde” menstruation, or back flow of menstrual blood into your insides (the peritoneal cavity) may occur contributing to severe cramps and pain since blood is very irritating to this area.

Consultation for Fibroid Pain
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Early Fibroid Symptoms

Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors and are often asymptomatic in the early stages. Many women are not even aware that they have fibroids. Early signs of fibroids are easy to miss and may even be confused with other common uterine conditions. Early symptoms may include:

  • Mild pelvic pain 
  • Lower back pain
  • Mild abdominal pain or pressure
  • Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
  • Spotting or bleeding between periods

Advanced Fibroid Symptoms

Fibroids produce different symptoms based on their size, number, and location. Larger fibroids can lead to pelvic pain, frequent urination, and pain during sex, among other symptoms. Rapidly growing fibroids, or those that start breaking down, can also cause pain. More advanced fibroid symptoms include:

  • Severe pelvic, abdominal, and/or back pain
  • Pain during sexual intercourse
  • Frequent urination and/or constipation
  • Severe and prolonged menstrual bleeding 
  • Anemia and associated symptoms of anemia such as fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet, chest pain, irregular heart beats, and skin pallor.

Uterine Fibroids Symptoms FAQS

What Do Uterine Fibroids Feel Like?

In most cases, women don’t realize that they have uterine fibroids. Fibroids are rarely considered dangerous and usually do not produce any symptoms. However, symptoms vary by individual and family background.  Specifically, there appears to be racial disparities when it comes to fibroids, and the cause of the disparities are not yet clearly known. 

Although fibroids can occur in women of any racial background, studies show that “African American women have three times the risk for developing leiomyoma when compared with white women. They are more likely to be diagnosed with uterine fibroids at an earlier age, and have larger and more rapidly growing fibroids. They suffer from more severe symptoms (bleeding and pelvic pain) compared with white women.  In addition, African American women tend to undergo surgical treatment more often. There are also ethnic differences in response to treatment, as well as treatment complications.”

Women with larger fibroids may feel heaviness in their lower abdomen or pelvis, which is often described as a vague discomfort rather than a sharp pain. Sometimes, if your uterus becomes enlarged, you may experience discomfort when bending down or exercising.

What Do Uterine Fibroids Look Like?

Uterine fibroids are typically rounded growths that look like nodules of smooth muscle tissue. In some cases, they can be attached with a stem, giving them a mushroom-like appearance. Fibroids may grow as a single nodule or in a cluster. Fibroid clusters can range in size from 1 mm or a pea size, to the size of lemon and oranges, to as large as a football. The growth of a uterus full of fibroids can make a woman appear pregnant and feel bloated.  Several types of fibroids can grow throughout the uterus, including intramural, subserosal, submucosal, and pedunculated fibroids. The types of uterine fibroids vary in size, but some can grow large enough to press against neighboring organs.

What Happens if Uterine Fibroids Go Untreated?

If left untreated, uterine fibroids can continue to grow, both in size and number. As your fibroids take over the uterus, your symptoms will become worse. Fibroid pain will increase, menstrual bleeding will become heavier, and menstrual cramping will intensify, among other things. Also, the abdomen can swell, putting additional pressure on the bladder, colon, nerves and lower spine, and causing symptoms such as incontinence or frequent urination, constipation, and back pain.

Request A Consultation

Request a consultation at your nearest American Fibroid affiliated center.

Our Fibroid Specialists

American Fibroid Centers comprises board-certified, affiliated physicians specializing in uterine fibroid treatment. Among the nation’s most respected providers of endovascular procedures, such as Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), our team is here to help you find relief for fibroid pain and other symptoms. Find your nearest location to meet with a fibroid specialist in NY, NJ, or OH today.

Our Fibroid Centers in NY, NJ & OH

American Fibroid Centers proudly treats women with uterine fibroids at our state-of-the-art outpatient centers in New Jersey, New York, and Ohio. All of our locations are equipped with a team of highly skilled, affiliated physicians and the latest technology and tools. Schedule a consultation with us in NY, NJ, or OH for comprehensive fibroid treatment today.

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Brooklyn Endovascular Logo
Brooklyn, NY
71 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA
Queens Endovascular Logo
Queens, NY
28-18 31st St, 2nd Floor, Astoria, NY 11102
West Orange, NJ
347 Mount Pleasant Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
Cincinnati Endovascular Center
Cincinnati, OH
2950 Glendale Milford Rd ste 520, Evendale, OH 45241, USA
Fishkill Endovascular Logo
Fishkill, NY
60 Merritt Blvd ste 107, Fishkill, NY 12524, USA
Harlem Endovascular Logo
Harlem, NY
505 East 116th Street suite 400, New York, NY 10029, USA
New York
Brooklyn Endovascular Logo
Brooklyn, NY
71 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(833) 833-3973
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Queens Endovascular Logo
Queens, NY
28-18 31st Street
Queens, NY 11102
(833) 833-3973
Visit Location
Fishkill Endovascular Logo
Fishkill, NY
60 Merritt Boulevard
Fishkill, NY 12524
(833) 833-3973
Visit Location
Harlem Endovascular Logo
Harlem, NY
505 East 116th Street
Harlem, NY 10029
(833) 833-3973
Visit Location

Fibroid Treatment in New York

American Fibroid Centers has four locations throughout New York. Our offices in Queens, Harlem, Fishkill, and Brooklyn provide women with high-quality fibroid treatment in a safe and comfortable environment.

Brooklyn Endovascular Logo
Brooklyn, NY
71 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA
Queens Endovascular Logo
Queens, NY
28-18 31st St, 2nd Floor, Astoria, NY 11102
Fishkill Endovascular Logo
Fishkill, NY
60 Merritt Blvd ste 107, Fishkill, NY 12524, USA
Harlem Endovascular Logo
Harlem, NY
505 East 116th Street suite 400, New York, NY 10029, USA
New Jersey
NJ Endocascular Logo
West Orange, NJ
347 Mount Pleasant Avenue
West Orange, NJ 07052
(833) 833-3973
Visit Location

Fibroid Treatment in New Jersey

American Fibroid Centers offers exceptional uterine fibroid care in New Jersey. Our West Orange outpatient center features individual patient rooms, cutting-edge operating rooms, and an on-site recovery area.

West Orange, NJ
347 Mount Pleasant Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
Ohio
Cincinnati Endovascular Center
Cincinnati, OH
2950 Glendale Milford Road
Cincinnati, OH 45241
(833) 833-3973
Visit Location

Fibroid Treatment in Ohio

Look no further than American Fibroid Centers in Ohio for innovative, patient-focused fibroid care. Our Evendale location is near Cincinnati, offering minimally invasive treatment options for women of all ages.

Cincinnati Endovascular Center
Cincinnati, OH
2950 Glendale Milford Rd ste 520, Evendale, OH 45241, USA

What Our Patients Are Saying

Learn more about our patients’ experiences at American Fibroid Centers.

Dr. Abadir and his staff are wonderful.
debdefran
debdefran
21:28 03 May 23
Very professional and informative
Kieran McDonald
Kieran McDonald
20:58 25 Apr 23
Wonderful staff very kind very thorough no waiting♥️. I’ve never been to a doctors office and treated with so much respect.. I’m looking forward to my next appointment 😇
Denise Sciarra
Denise Sciarra
16:16 17 Mar 23
The staff could not have been friendlier! I was treated so well and my procedure was a huge success!
Darcy Sala
Darcy Sala
14:44 28 Feb 23
Very friendly and hard working people. Excellent doctor and team!!!Thanks for being so helpful and encouraging!
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finda jackson
13:37 03 Feb 23
Great experience very through staff are extremely helpful and friendly no wait time I highly recommend.
william cardoza
william cardoza
15:05 12 Sep 22
A doctor who listens, smart and personable, I liked him.
sherry svec
sherry svec
21:38 16 May 22
Went there for the first time didn’t have to fill out paperwork which constantly asked the same question. Nurses were friendly didn’t have to come back a second time to have test done did it rite then, doctor explain everything set up appointment to have procedure done and I’m very confident in the doctor
GARY DINI
GARY DINI
12:23 25 Jan 22
Excellent service. Dr. Abadir and staff were attentive and thoughtful. All communication regarding my visit were clear and concise and they took the time to listen and address all of my questions. Great visit!
dennis bernstein
dennis bernstein
14:50 21 Jan 22
I thank you very much you took good care I feel great I am very happy with you and I will be back .
Maleta Ford
Maleta Ford
14:24 02 Sep 21
Super friendly and communicative. Efficient staff in the office. A unique experience for a doctors office. Dr Abadir was concise and effective in his exam and explanations
William Silsdorf
William Silsdorf
19:56 07 Jun 21
I found the staff Extremely cordial and professional. Dr. Abidir took his time and explained what procedures needed to be doneAnd why he recommended them to establish a diagnosis.Dr. Abidir was reassuring and listened to and answered all of my questions.So far I am very pleased with the endo vascularProgram here.Clare Garvey
Clare Garvey
Clare Garvey
20:39 17 May 21
Pleased with staff and doctor is very compassionate
Jose Quinones
Jose Quinones
23:57 15 Mar 21
Thank you to you and your great staff.Bill Baratta
Rita Baratta
Rita Baratta
15:07 26 Jan 21
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From the Experts

Get to know more about the symptoms, causes, treatment, and care of Uterine Fibroids.

References

1. Catherino, W. H., Eltoukhi, H. M., & Al-Hendy, A. (2013). Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Pathogenesis and Clinical Manifestations of Uterine Leiomyoma. Seminars in reproductive medicine, 31(5), 370. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1348896

Why Am I Having Cramps Between Periods
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Request a consultation at your nearest American Fibroid affiliated center.