What are the common symptoms of uterine fibroids?

Typical symptoms of uterine fibroids include abnormal menstruation, abdominal mass, pelvic pain, infertility, etc., but the severity of the disease varies from person to person, and some patients may have no obvious symptoms. If you have abnormal menstruation or suspect fibroids, you should seek medical attention in time to avoid delaying treatment.

1. Abnormal menstruation

The most common manifestations are heavy menstruation, prolonged menstruation or irregular menstruation. This is usually related to the compression of the endometrium by the fibroids or the expansion of the uterine cavity. Repeated heavy bleeding may lead to anemia, manifested as dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, etc. It is recommended that women with the above conditions go to the hospital for a B-ultrasound examination in time for diagnosis. If uterine fibroids are diagnosed, treatment methods such as oral contraceptives, sodium dithiocarbamate injection for hemostasis or surgical resection can be selected according to the amount of bleeding.

2. Abdominal mass

As the size of the fibroid increases, the patient may be able to feel a lump in the abdomen, or even feel a distended abdomen. This is especially true for subserosal fibroids and larger fibroids. If you feel a lump, you should seek medical attention immediately. Imaging tests such as color Doppler ultrasound or CT scans can be performed to assess the size, location, and nature of the fibroid, and surgical removal can be performed if necessary.

3. Pelvic compression or pain

Large fibroids may compress surrounding organs, such as the bladder and rectum, leading to frequent urination, constipation, lower abdominal pain or lumbar pain. To relieve pelvic compression symptoms, it is recommended to use hot compresses, analgesics, or surgically remove the fibroids to completely solve the problem.

4. Infertility or miscarriage

Uterine fibroids may also affect fertility, especially submucosal fibroids located in the uterine cavity or near the endometrium, which can easily lead to difficulty in implantation of the fertilized egg or cause early miscarriage. If infertility or repeated miscarriages occur, it is necessary to determine whether surgical treatment is needed under the guidance of a doctor. Hysteroscopic resection or transabdominal surgery can be selected to improve pregnancy conditions.

5. Other symptoms

A small number of people may experience stress urinary incontinence or lower limb edema, which is related to the location and compression of the fibroids. If the symptoms are obvious, it is recommended to develop a plan based on the condition, such as using medication to control symptoms or interventional treatment such as uterine artery embolization to reduce the size of the fibroids and relieve compression symptoms.

Uterine fibroids can present different symptoms depending on their size and location. If you find any abnormal symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. Through examination, you can understand the nature and severity of the fibroids, and a professional doctor will develop a suitable treatment plan to avoid worsening of the disease and affecting your health and quality of life.