Is irregular menstruation a manifestation of uterine fibroids? Can uterine fibroids cause uterine bleeding?

At present, the incidence of uterine fibroids is relatively high. If this disease is not treated promptly and effectively, it will seriously damage the health of women's uterus. If we pay attention and remain vigilant, we need to understand the specific symptoms of uterine fibroids in detail so that we can detect the disease in time.

Specific symptoms of uterine fibroids

1. Uterine bleeding is the main symptom of uterine fibroids, which occurs in more than half of patients. Among them, cyclical bleeding is mostly increased menstrual volume, prolonged menstrual period or shortened cycle. It can also manifest as irregular vaginal bleeding during menstrual cycle. Uterine bleeding is common in submucosal fibroids and intramural fibroids, while subserosal fibroids rarely cause uterine bleeding.

2. Abdominal masses and compression symptoms Myomas grow gradually. When the uterus enlarges for more than 3 months, when the uterus is the size of a pregnant uterus or a larger subserosal myoma located at the bottom of the uterus, the abdominal mass can usually be felt, and it is more obvious in the morning when the bladder is full. The mass is substantial, movable, and painless. When myomas grow to a certain size, they can cause symptoms of compression of surrounding organs. When myomas on the anterior wall of the uterus are close to the bladder, they can cause frequent urination and urgency; huge cervical myomas compress the bladder and can cause poor urination or even urinary retention; myomas on the posterior wall of the uterus, especially canyon or posterior lip of the cervix, can compress the rectum, causing poor defecation and discomfort after defecation; huge broad ligament myomas can compress the ureters and even cause hydronephrosis.

3. Pain Generally speaking, uterine fibroids do not cause pain, but many patients may complain of lower abdominal swelling and back pain. Acute abdominal pain occurs when the pedicle of a subserosal fibroid is twisted or when a uterine fibroid undergoes red degeneration. It is not uncommon for fibroids to be combined with endometriosis or adenomyosis, and there may be dysmenorrhea.

4. Increased leucorrhea: Increased uterine cavity, increased endometrial glands, and increased pelvic congestion. When the uterus or cervical submucosal fibroids ulcerate, become infected, and necrotic, bloody or purulent leucorrhea will occur.

5. Infertility and miscarriage Some patients with uterine fibroids are accompanied by infertility or prone to miscarriage. The impact on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes may be related to the location, size and number of fibroids. Huge uterine fibroids can cause uterine deformation, hindering the implantation of the gestational sac and the growth and development of the embryo; fibroids compressing the fallopian tubes can cause obstruction of the lumen; submucosal fibroids can hinder the implantation of the gestational sac or affect the entry of sperm into the uterine cavity. The spontaneous abortion rate of patients with fibroids is higher than that of normal people, about 4:1.

6. Anemia Long-term menorrhagia or irregular vaginal bleeding can cause hemorrhagic anemia. Severe anemia is common in patients with submucosal myomas.

7. Other rare cases of patients with uterine fibroids may present with polycythemia and hypoglycemia, which are usually related to the production of ectopic hormones by the tumor.