Symptoms and signs in women with uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyoma, are the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive system. The symptoms and signs of patients are as follows:

1. Symptoms

Most patients are asymptomatic and the tumor is only discovered occasionally during physical examinations. The symptoms have little to do with the size and number of the tumor, but are related to its location and the presence or absence of degeneration.

Menstrual abnormalities: mostly manifested as increased menstrual flow and prolonged menstrual period. A small number of patients present with irregular vaginal bleeding or bloody purulent discharge.

Lower abdominal mass: The intramural and subserosal fibroids of the uterine body gradually increase in size and protrude into the abdominal cavity. When the fibroids increase in size to ≥ 3 months of gestation, they can be felt in the abdomen. Huge submucosal fibroids may protrude out of the vagina.

Compression symptoms: When the fibroid compresses the bladder, symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and difficulty urinating may occur. Compression of the rectum can cause constipation.

Increased leucorrhea: Some patients may experience increased leucorrhea, and even purulent and bloody discharge with a foul odor.

Others: It may manifest as lower abdominal distension, back pain, and may be accompanied by infertility, secondary anemia, etc. Acute abdominal pain may occur when the pedicle of the subserosal fibroid is twisted.

2. Physical signs

When the fibroid is larger than the size of a 3-month pregnant uterus, a solid irregular mass can be palpated in the lower abdomen. Gynecological examination shows an enlarged uterus with irregular single or multiple nodules on the surface, or a single spherical mass connected to the uterus with a hard texture; or a dilated cervical opening with a red, solid, smooth mass in the cervical canal, or prolapsed from the cervical opening in the vagina (submucosal fibroids). When accompanied by infection, there may be necrosis, bleeding, and purulent secretions.