TL;DR: Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or on the uterus. They’re extremely common — affecting up to 80% of women by age 50 — yet many women don’t realize they have them. Key symptoms include heavy or prolonged periods, pelvic pain or pressure, frequent urination, back pain, and pain during sex. Some fibroids cause no symptoms at all. If you’re experiencing any of these signs, an OB/GYN can diagnose fibroids and walk you through your treatment options.
Schedule an appointment at Lona Sasser Obstetrics & Gynecology to discuss your symptoms and find out if fibroids could be the cause.
What Are Uterine Fibroid Symptoms and When Should You See a Doctor?
Uterine fibroids — also called leiomyomas or myomas — are among the most common gynecological conditions in women of reproductive age. Despite how frequently they occur, they often go undetected for years, either because they cause no symptoms or because symptoms are mistakenly attributed to normal period variation or stress.
Understanding what uterine fibroid symptoms look like — and what makes them different from ordinary period discomfort — helps you know when it’s time to reach out to your provider.
At Lona Sasser Obstetrics & Gynecology in Coral Springs, our team provides compassionate, one-on-one care for women navigating fibroid symptoms and treatment. Call 954-340-1050 or book your visit on ZocDoc.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Fibroids are benign (noncancerous) tumors made of smooth muscle and connective tissue that grow in or around the uterus. They range in size from microscopic to larger than a grapefruit, and they can appear as a single growth or in clusters. Fibroids are classified by their location:
- Intramural fibroids: grow within the muscular wall of the uterus (most common)
- Submucosal fibroids: grow into the uterine cavity and are most likely to cause heavy bleeding and fertility issues
- Subserosal fibroids: grow on the outer surface of the uterus and may cause pelvic pressure
- Pedunculated fibroids: grow on a stalk attached to the uterus
Estrogen and progesterone promote fibroid growth, which is why they typically shrink after menopause. Black women are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids than white women, and often experience them at a younger age and with more severe symptoms.
Common Uterine Fibroid Symptoms
Not every woman with fibroids will have noticeable symptoms — in fact, many are discovered incidentally during a routine pelvic exam or ultrasound. But when symptoms do appear, they often significantly impact quality of life.
Heavy or Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding
This is the most common symptom of uterine fibroids, particularly submucosal fibroids. Heavy bleeding (menorrhagia) may involve soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several consecutive hours, passing large blood clots, or bleeding for more than seven days. Over time, heavy periods can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, causing fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
Pelvic Pain or Pressure
Larger fibroids can cause a constant dull ache or a feeling of heaviness and pressure in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Some women describe it as a persistent sensation of fullness, similar to being several months pregnant. Subserosal fibroids that press against other pelvic structures tend to be the most common cause of this type of discomfort.
Frequent or Difficult Urination
Fibroids that press against the bladder can cause the urge to urinate more frequently, difficulty fully emptying the bladder, or in some cases, urinary incontinence. This is more common with larger fibroids or those positioned toward the front of the uterus.
Lower Back or Leg Pain
When fibroids press on nerves or blood vessels near the back and pelvis, they can cause pain that radiates into the lower back, buttocks, or down one or both legs. This is more common with subserosal fibroids or pedunculated fibroids.
Pain During Sex
Depending on their location, fibroids can cause pain or discomfort during intercourse (dyspareunia). This is particularly true for submucosal fibroids or fibroids in the lower part of the uterus.
Bloating or Enlarged Abdomen
A large fibroid or multiple fibroids can cause the lower abdomen to appear distended or feel firm to the touch. Women sometimes notice that clothing fits differently around the waist, or that their abdomen has a visible protrusion.
Constipation or Rectal Pressure
Fibroids pressing on the rectum may cause constipation, difficulty passing stool, or a persistent feeling of rectal pressure.
When Fibroids Cause No Symptoms
Roughly 50% of women with fibroids have no symptoms at all. These are often discovered incidentally during a routine exam or imaging performed for another reason. Asymptomatic fibroids don’t always require treatment — but regular monitoring is typically recommended to track their size and any changes over time.
Fibroids and Fertility
Most women with fibroids conceive without difficulty. However, submucosal fibroids — those that grow into the uterine cavity — can interfere with implantation or increase the risk of miscarriage. If you’re trying to conceive and have been diagnosed with fibroids, your OB/GYN can advise whether treatment is recommended before attempting pregnancy. At Lona Sasser OB/GYN, we offer continuity of care from preconception through birth and beyond.
How Are Fibroids Diagnosed?
Your provider will typically begin with a pelvic exam, during which larger fibroids may be palpable. Diagnosis is usually confirmed with:
- Ultrasound: the most common imaging tool for detecting fibroids
- MRI: provides detailed information about size, number, and location — important for treatment planning
- Sonohysterography: uses saline to enhance visualization of the uterine cavity, particularly useful for detecting submucosal fibroids
- Hysteroscopy: allows direct visualization inside the uterus
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on your symptoms, the size and location of the fibroids, and your reproductive goals. Options range from watchful waiting to medication to surgical intervention:
- Watchful waiting: appropriate for small, asymptomatic fibroids, particularly in women approaching menopause
- Hormonal medications: birth control pills, progesterone-releasing IUDs, or GnRH agonists can manage bleeding and shrink fibroids temporarily
- Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE): a minimally invasive procedure that cuts off blood supply to fibroids
- Myomectomy: surgical removal of fibroids while preserving the uterus — preferred for women who want to maintain fertility
- Hysterectomy: complete removal of the uterus; the only permanent cure for fibroids
Your OB/GYN will help you weigh the benefits and risks of each approach based on your individual situation.
Take the Next Step
If you’re experiencing heavy periods, pelvic pain, or any of the symptoms described above, don’t wait to find out why. Uterine fibroids are highly treatable, and the sooner they’re diagnosed, the more options you have. At Lona Sasser Obstetrics & Gynecology, we serve women in Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Parkland, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, North Lauderdale, and Tamarac.
Call 954-340-1050 or schedule your appointment online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can fibroids go away on their own?
Fibroids don’t typically disappear on their own during reproductive years, but they usually shrink after menopause when estrogen levels drop. Some very small fibroids may not change significantly over time.
Do fibroids increase cancer risk?
No. Uterine fibroids are benign and do not increase the risk of uterine cancer. A very rare cancer called uterine sarcoma can resemble a fibroid on imaging, but it’s not caused by fibroids and is extremely uncommon.
Can fibroids come back after treatment?
Yes. If the uterus is preserved (as in myomectomy or UFE), new fibroids can develop. Hysterectomy is the only treatment that eliminates the possibility of recurrence.
What does fibroid pain feel like?
Fibroid pain can range from a dull, persistent pelvic ache to sharp cramping during menstruation. Some women experience a feeling of heaviness or pressure rather than pain. In rare cases, a fibroid can undergo degeneration (usually during pregnancy), causing sudden, severe pain.
Are fibroids hereditary?
There does appear to be a genetic component. Having a mother or sister with fibroids increases your own risk. Race is also a significant risk factor, with Black women being disproportionately affected.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki