Uterine fibroids are very common among women of childbearing age. Understanding the symptoms of uterine fibroids can make them much easier to detect.

Many women who are of childbearing age will develop uterine fibroids. In fact, as many as three of of four women will have uterine fibroids at some point during their lives. Uterine fibroids, also known as fibromyomas, leiomyomas, or myomas, are growths that develop on the uterus. They are not cancerous, and in the majority of cases, they never develop into cancer.

They are also not associated with an increased risk for uterine cancer. In many cases, uterine fibroids go undetected because they do not cause any noticeable. In many of the cases where the fibroids are discovered, they are found by your doctor accidentally during a pelvic exam or an ultrasound. Most of the time, fibroids do not cause any major problems, and therefore medical intervention is not required. In some rare cases, however, they may cause pain, profuse bleeding, or other severe complications. In such cases, the fibroids may need to be removed.

In most cases, the symptoms of uterine fibroids are very limited, if they are present at all. The most common side effects include heavy bleeding during menstruation, prolonged menstrual periods, pelvic pain or pressure, frequent urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, constipation, and leg or back pain. In some rare cases, a fibroid can cause acute pain if it outgrows its blood supply. When this happens, the fibroid begins to die which can cause pain.

Fibroids that grow into the inner cavity of the uterus, also known as submucosal fibroids, are thought to be a primary cause of prolonged, heavy menstrual periods. They can also make it difficult to conceive. Subserosal fibroids, or those on the outside of the uterus, are known to put pressure on the bladder, rectum, or spinal nerves, causing problems with those areas. If you are experiencing chronic pelvic pain, heavy or painful periods, spotting or bleeding in between periods, pain during sexual intercourse, difficult urination, or difficulty moving your bowels, it is important to see your doctor as treatment may be required. If necessary, your doctor may prescribe medication to help with your symptoms of recommend a surgical procedure to remove the uterine fibroids.