Fibroids Symptoms
Possible Symptoms of Fibroids
- Vaginal bleeding
- Passing clots
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Pressure on the bladder requiring frequent visits to the bathroom during the day and or night
- Swelling of the legs
Any of these symptoms have an effect on the quality of life of the sufferer. Fortunately, fibroids can be treated and there are now a few options as to how to treat this condition. Until recently the options were limited to 2 types of surgery:
Fibroids Symptoms Explained
Heavy Periods
Assessing fibroid symptoms is an important step in fibroid treatment. The most common fibroids symptom in women is heavy periods. Quite often, women think that it is normal to experience heavy periods. It is only until they visit a GP or gynaecologist and have a blood test showing low haemoglobin, that they realise that these heavy periods result in very uncomfortable symptoms in their lives. These symptoms include headaches, fatigue, lethargy, etc. and it is at this point that they decide to seek fibroid treatment.
Pelvic Pain
Fibroids can also have a pressure effect on pelvic organs, i.e. the bladder and sometimes cause excruciating pelvic pain. A large fibroid sitting on the bladder will often cause a woman to feel that she hasn’t urinated properly, leading her to run to the bathroom several times throughout the day or night. The same feeling can be felt after drinking only one glass of water.
Incontinence, back pain, and leg swelling
Fibroids can also present pressure on the back and on the legs, resulting in back pain and leg swelling. These are very common symptoms in and amongst the symptom complex of fibroids.
Pain during intercourse
Fibroids may cause pain during intercourse, it’s worth mentioning it to your doctor if you are experiencing this. Although it may be a difficult topic to talk about, it is a pertinent issue and could signal an underlying condition, fibroids or other, that may need attention. If this is one of your main symptoms; make sure you get your Doctor to do a PAP smear.
There are minimally invasive treatments that will alleviate the symptoms and get rid of fibroids. Uterine fibroid embolisation is a non-surgical, minimally invasive alternative treatment for fibroids. Unlike other treatments, UFE makes sure the uterus is preserved making pregnancy possible after treatment.
If you find yourself having any of these symptoms, it’s recommended you visit your gynaecologist. Your gynaecologist will conduct a pelvic exam and may require you to undergo additional scans and tests to determine the presence of fibroids.
Need Information on Fibroids Treatment?
At Fibroid Care, we specialise in uterine fibroid embolisation(UFE), a safe minimally invasive alternative to surgery.
We are available to guide you through the process, answer your questions and help you make an informed decision.
Reach out to today for expert advice, or book a consultation to discuss the symptoms and treatment in more detail.