Heres everything you oughta know.
Types of fibroids
Uterine fibroids are classified by their location.
Depending on where they are located, they can cause different symptoms.
Uterine fibroids symptoms can range from “being a nuisance to being life-threatening.”
Heavy periods are often a sign of fibroids.
But recently, theres been a push towards a more subjective understanding of heavy bleeding, she says.
If a woman’s perception is that her bleeding is heavy, it’s heavy.
Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, a racing heart, and craving ice.
Bulk symptoms occur when the fibroids are so big that they cause a space issue, explains Dr. Arumala.
You might also experience pain during orgasm.
If youre experiencing any pelvic pain or lower back pain, flag it to your doctor.
Same goes for fibroids pressing on your bowels.
Sometimes patients have an alternative of constipation and diarrhea or just constipation, she says.
If the poop gets past that blockage, it rushes out.
So you’ll have constipation, diarrhea, constipation, diarrhea.
Bulk symptoms can occur even if you dont have bleeding issues due to fibroids.
Fibroids can be a cause of infertility.
Depending on their location, they can literally block the fallopian tube, preventing an egg from being fertilized.
Fibroids in the lining of the uterus can also prevent a fertilized egg from implanting.
(For years, fibroids have also been linked to the fear of early miscarriage.
Thoughrecent researchsuggests theres not enough evidence to support an increased risk, according to the NIH.)
During pregnancy, fibroids can cause excruciating pain, says Dr. Arumala.
Anything dying, like a tooth, is going to cause pain, Dr. Arumala says.
Fibroids (again, depending on their location) can also increase your risk of having a cesarean delivery.
If you’re experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding or any of the other symptoms above, talk to your gynecologist.
Any one of these should warrant some throw in of conversation with your doctor.
Then it can start to generate a conversation of potentially looking at fibroids as the cause.
There are plenty of treatment options for uterine fibroids.
If youre dealing with symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider about whats best for you.
Macaela MacKenzieis a writer and editor specializing in wellness.
Shes the author ofMoney, Power, Respect: How Women in Sports Are Shaping the Future of Feminism.
