Fibroids - What are the symptoms?

Fibroids don't usually cause symptoms.

Less than half of women with fibroids have any symptoms.[1]But if you do get symptoms, these are the most likely ones.[2]:

Heavy periods: About a third of women with fibroids have heavy bleeding during their periods.[1] To read more, see How can I tell if my periods are heavy?
Painful periods: You may get bad cramps just before or during your periods.
Pain or pressure in your pelvis: About a third of women with fibroids have a feeling of fullness or discomfort in their pelvis when they're not having their periods.[1] [3]
Having to pass urine often: If you have to pass urine often, your fibroids may be pressing on your bladder.[3]
Pain during sex: This can happen if your fibroids are near the neck of your womb (your cervix).

How bad your fibroids make you feel depends on:[1]

How many you have
How big they are
Where they are.

Most women who have fibroids don't get any symptoms.

Many women only find out they have fibroids when they have routine ultrasound scans because they're pregnant. If you don't have any symptoms, you probably don't need treatment.

References

Buttram VC, Reiter RC. Uterine leiomyomata: etiology, symptomatology, and management. Fertility and Sterility. 1981; 36: 433-445.
Lumsden MA, Wallace EM. Clinical presentation of uterine fibroids. Baillieres Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1998; 12: 177-195.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Uterine fibroids. Available at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Uterine_Fibroids.cfm (accessed on 29 June 2007).

Glossary

pelvis: Your pelvis is the area between your hips.
ultrasound: Ultrasound is a tool doctors use to create images of the inside of your body. An ultrasound machine sends out high-frequency sound waves, which are directed at an area of your body. The waves reflect off parts of your body to create a picture. Ultrasound is often used to see a developing baby inside a woman's womb.
bladder: Your bladder is the hollow organ at the top of your pelvis that stores urine. It is similar to a balloon, only with stronger walls. It fills up with urine until you go to the toilet.
cervix: The cervix is a piece of tissue that sits between a woman's womb and her vagina. It has a small opening in it that gets much bigger when a woman is having a baby.

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.