Frequent urination is defined as the need to urinate more than 6 to 8 times in a 24-hour period. Having the urge to urinate suddenly and frequently can interfere with daily life and may be a sign of an underlying condition. One possible cause that often goes unrecognized is the presence of uterine fibroids. These benign (noncancerous) tumors grow in or on the uterus and can range in size from small, undetectable nodules to large masses that significantly distort the uterus.
Understanding the Link Between Fibroids and Bladder Symptoms
Frequent urination is a common but often overlooked symptom that may indicate the presence of uterine fibroids. Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that develop in or around the uterus and, depending on their size and location, can exert pressure on the bladder. This pressure can lead to a persistent urge to urinate or increased urinary frequency, even when the bladder is not full. Recognizing the connection between fibroids and urinary symptoms is important for timely diagnosis and effective treatment.
Take our fibroid Symptoms Quiz
Do Uterine Fibroids Cause Frequent Urination?
For some women, the unfortunate reality is that— yes, fibroids cause frequent urination. The uterus sits directly behind the bladder. As fibroids grow, they can exert pressure on the bladder, reducing its capacity and making it harder to hold urine. Some women also experience pelvic floor dysfunction as a result of fibroids, which can worsen incontinence.
Understanding Fibroids and the Bladder
Depending on their size and location, fibroids can press against surrounding organs—including the bladder. This pressure may lead to symptoms such as:
-
Urinary urgency – a strong, sudden urge to urinate
-
Frequent urination – needing to go more than 8 times a day
-
Incomplete emptying – feeling like your bladder isn’t fully emptied
-
Stress incontinence – leaking urine when you laugh, sneeze, or lift something heavy
Large fibroids, or those located near the front of the uterus (subserosal or intramural types), are more likely to contribute to urinary symptoms.
In some cases, fibroids may also press on the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body), leading to difficulty urinating or dribbling urine.
However, it is advised not to make any assumptions about your health. If you have fibroids and frequent urination, contact your doctor to rule out other potential causes of this unpleasant and inconvenient issue. If fibroids are ultimately diagnosed as the issue behind your constant restroom stops, consult a fibroid specialist to ask about available treatments. No matter the cause, it is important to know that there’s help available.
Why Do Fibroids Cause Frequent Urination?
The bladder functions as a storage organ for urine and typically expands gradually throughout the day. If fibroids begin to grow larger, or if there are numerous tumors, they may expand the uterus. This can cause the uterus to compress the bladder, reducing its capacity to hold enough urine. This, of course, often results in urinating more frequently.
Some women also report waking up multiple times during the night to use the restroom (a condition known as nocturia).
This symptom is more than just an inconvenience; over time, it can affect sleep, work productivity, and overall quality of life.
Common Urinary Symptoms Associated with Fibroids
If you have fibroids, you may experience:
-
Frequent need to urinate throughout the day
-
Urinary urgency (sudden, strong urge to urinate)
-
Nocturia (waking up multiple times at night to urinate)
-
Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
-
Increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs)
These symptoms often develop gradually and may be mistakenly attributed to lifestyle factors or aging, which is why a proper diagnosis is important.
Urinary Retention
In some instances, fibroids can also cause urinary retention. Due to the size of the uterus, the ureter, which allows urine to pass from the kidneys to the bladder, may become blocked. If the ureter becomes partially blocked, urine cannot flow successfully. If the fibroids cause the bladder’s exit to be completely pinched off, surgical procedures may need to help open the ureter. If you have fibroids, we recommend you keep an eye out for any difficulties emptying your bladder. It’s crucial to track these symptoms, so you can notify a specialist if your condition worsens.
Other Causes of Frequent Urination
While fibroids can cause you to feel the need to urinate frequently, they aren’t the only cause of this issue. Other health conditions can lead to frequent urination in women.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease often develops slowly over time. You may not even realize you have the condition until it has progressed. One of the symptoms of kidney disease is urinating more than normal, but you can also urinate less than usual as well. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, trouble sleeping, muscle cramps, swelling of the feet and ankles, and other signs.
UTI
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) frequently cause you to have an urgency to urinate. Bacteria grows in the bladder, kidneys, or urethra, causing inflammation of the organs. You may feel like you must constantly go to the bathroom, even after going. Many times, you will need an antibiotic to stop the infection.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can also cause frequent urination. This becomes more noticeable in the second and third trimesters as the baby grows and the expanding uterus presses on the bladder. Once the baby is born, your uterus will go back to its normal size, and the urgency to urinate should go away.
Diabetes
One of the warning signs of diabetes is the need to urinate frequently. While it is noticeable during the day, it can also happen at night. You may also notice that you are thirstier and hungrier than normal. You may feel a lack of energy and have wounds that are slower to heal. You should see your doctor if you experience any of these signs or blurred vision, numbness in the hands or feet, and unexpected weight loss.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) for Frequent Urination due to Fibroids.
If fibroids are causing your frequent urination, we offer a non-surgical, outpatient treatment that should be able to help. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) uses a specialized ultrasound technique that helps map the body’s natural pathways and shrinks your fibroids.
During a UFE procedure:
- You will be given local anesthesia, and a light sedative
- One of our specialists will numb your upper thigh
- Next, they will inject embolic agents through a tiny catheter into your uterine artery
- This material will block blood flow and nutrients to your fibroids
- Over the next few weeks, your fibroids will wither away and eventually die
Benefits of UFE Treatment
The resulting decrease in pressure should allow your bladder and uterus to return to their normal size and regular functions. Since our fibroid specialists utilize minimally invasive techniques, there is a little discomfort, limited to no scarring, no need for stitches or general anesthesia, and you can return to the comfort of your own home the same day.
Compared to fibroid surgery, the benefits of UFE also include:
- Less risk
- Less pain
- No general anesthesia
- Takes only 30 to 45 minutes
- No hospital stay
- A short recovery period of one to two weeks
- The uterus remains intact
- Your fertility can be retained
- It is extremely rare for fibroids treated with UFE to regrow
Although many women believe that fibroid surgery –– such as hysterectomy or myomectomy –– is the only available treatment, this isn’t true. A fibroid specialist can help you explore all your options before making any final treatment decisions.
Contact USA Fibroid Centers Today
Having the urge to pee all the time is a daily struggle for some women that prevents them from living in the moment. When you’re constantly worried about reaching the bathroom in time and planning your activities around being close to a restroom, staying home and canceling plans becomes easiest. You may be experiencing fibroids and frequent urination.
Our interventional radiologists at USA Fibroid Centers are passionate about helping women live their lives to the fullest without constantly worrying about fibroids and frequent urination. We also believe that women shouldn’t have to decide between continued urinary frequency and to undergo invasive surgery.
Whether you decide to visit us in person or online, contact us today to learn more about uterine fibroids and non-surgical fibroid treatment.