How a lot a fibroid, or fibroids, causes you to bleed can also be usually tied to its kind. For instance, fibroids that bulge into the uterine cavity—referred to as submucosal fibroids—are sometimes related to probably the most important bleeding adjustments, whatever the fibroid’s measurement. “It may be a small fibroid, but when it’s within the [uterine] cavity, it’s possible you’ll discover signs sooner than if the identical measurement fibroid weren’t within the [uterine] cavity,” Dr. Huynh says. The opposite two sorts are subserosal (which protrudes on the skin, or floor, of the uterus) and intramural (these develop inside the muscle layer). If intramural and subserosal fibroids are massive sufficient, each can result in heavy bleeding and infertility.
2. You are feeling cramping and expertise bloating once you’re not in your interval.
Uterine fibroids can push in opposition to surrounding organs, resulting in bloating and cramping, Dr. Huynh says: “Normally, the ache, cramping, and discomfort is situated within the decrease stomach [or] pelvis due to the situation of the fibroids,” she explains, noting that it’s just like what you would possibly really feel in your interval—despite the fact that you’re not. The discomfort can vary in severity and sensation. Massive uterine fibroids, for instance, may cause an individual to expertise “bulk” signs—which means, the fibroid’s sheer measurement takes up house within the uterus, resulting in a bloated or “full” feeling, Dr. Huynh says. That bloated feeling may cause some lavatory points, too; John Hopkins Medication says that bulking is usually related to elevated urination and constipation.
Different instances, the ache is much less “throughout,” and is extra remoted (and possibly harsher). One uncommon instance of this are pedunculated fibroids, which connect to the uterus with an extended, stem-like development, inflicting sudden, robust belly ache that goes out and in—just like actually unhealthy interval cramps. In different uncommon circumstances, a fibroid might develop sooner than its blood provide, which might additionally trigger equally intense sensations.
3. Toilet journeys are a burden.
Dr. Huynh says that when a uterine fibroid places strain on the bladder or bowel, it would really feel tougher—and even painful—to poop or pee. “The sheer power of the fibroids pushing and compressing in opposition to the rectum [causes people to] push in opposition to that power to have a bowel motion,” she provides. Equally, if the fibroid is pushing in opposition to the bladder, the organ doesn’t have as a lot house as it might if the fibroid wasn’t there. Chances are you’ll really feel like you need to pee extra incessantly or are unable to empty your bladder fully.
4. Intercourse is painful.
In a examine of 21,746 individuals identified with uterine fibroids,3 practically one quarter of members reported that they usually skilled ache and strain throughout intercourse. Dr. Huynh explains that this could occur when a uterus that’s enlarged by uterine fibroids shifts, strikes, and presses on totally different areas through the act. You would possibly really feel gentle discomfort or sharp ache, Dr. Kim says: “Relying on [the fibroid’s] location, simply the act of intercourse could be uncomfortable, or [pain] solely happens [during] deep penetration.”
5. You are feeling strain or ache in your decrease again.
An enlarged uterus from uterine fibroids might press in opposition to surrounding nerves, organs, muscle groups, and the backbone, which might result in decrease again ache. This would possibly really feel like a boring ache, cramp, sharp sting, or ache which may journey down the leg. Decrease again ache is most typical when the fibroid is situated towards the again of the uterus, Dr. Kim says.
6. You have got bother getting pregnant.
Many individuals with uterine fibroids, whether or not or not they’re symptomatic, can get pregnant, however the situation can typically contribute to infertility in 2 to three% of circumstances.4 This often occurs for one in all two causes, Dr. Kim explains: Both the fibroid is so massive {that a} fertilized egg is unable to implant on the wall of the uterus or the fibroid blocks the fallopian tubes.