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While heavy bleeding is one of the most well-known symptoms of uterine fibroids, it’s not the only one. Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus and can cause a range of symptoms, even without heavy bleeding.  

Since fibroids can affect your quality of life and may worsen over time, getting a proper diagnosis is important to understand your treatment options and manage symptoms effectively. Recognizing lesser-known symptoms can help you take the first step towards understanding your condition and seeking appropriate care.  

Heavy bleeding is a common fibroid symptom that often prompts women to seek medical attention. However, if you don’t experience heavy menstrual bleeding, you might not realize you have fibroids until they cause other issues or are detected during a routine exam. 

Seeking early diagnosis and treatment from a qualified healthcare provider is important because fibroids can grow larger over time, affect reproductive health and make managing symptoms more difficult to treat. 

USA Fibroid Centers specializes in providing minimally invasive care for women with fibroids. Our team of experienced fibroid specialists create personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs, guiding you through every step of the treatment process. 

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Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids can cause a range of disruptive and uncomfortable symptoms that can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life. 

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

  1. Heavy Bleeding: Soaking through pads or tampons frequently, often for an extended period, sometimes with large clots, and can disrupt daily life.
  2. Pelvic Pressure or Pain: A constant sense of fullness or pressure in your pelvis, or experience pelvic pain, especially during your period.
  3. Abdominal Bloating or Swelling: Large fibroids can cause your abdomen to feel bloated or swollen.
  4. Frequent Urination and Constipation: Fibroids can put pressure on nearby organs such as the bladder and bowel causing frequent urination and constipation.
  5. Back Pain: Depending on the size and location of the fibroids, they can cause back pain.
  6. Painful Intercourse: Fibroids can distort the shape of the uterus and make intercourse uncomfortable or even painful.

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Can Fibroids Stop Your Menstrual Period?

While it’s uncommon, fibroids can sometimes cause missed periods. These growths can disrupt the menstrual cycle due to hormonal imbalances, as fibroids respond to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone. These changes may lead to irregular, missed, or prolonged periods. 

In some cases, fibroids may contribute to amenorrhea, a condition where menstruation stops completely. Missing your period isn’t just a schedule shift—it can indicate an underlying health issue like hormonal imbalances or reproductive conditions. Since regular menstrual cycles are important for overall health, missing periods can affect fertility, hormone levels, and bone health due to changes in estrogen levels. 

Other Common Causes of Missed Periods

However, misses period can also result from other factors including: 

  • Early Menopause: Some women experience menopause earlier than expected, leading to a gradual or sudden stop in periods. This can be influenced by genetics, autoimmune disorders, or medical treatments like chemotherapy. 
  • Birth Control: Hormonal contraceptives, such as the pill, patch, or IUD, can alter the menstrual cycle, sometimes causing lighter, irregular, or missed periods. 
  • Certain Medications: Some medications, including those for mental health conditions, cancer treatments, or hormonal therapies, can interfere with your cycle and lead to missed periods. 
  • Stress: High levels of stress can affect the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates hormones, potentially leading to skipped or irregular periods. 

Fibroids more commonly cause heavy or prolonged bleeding and may lead to spotting between periods. If you notice changes in your cycle, consulting a specialist can help determine the cause and appropriate treatment. 

How Do Fibroids Develop if You Don’t Have a Menstrual Period?

Women usually develop fibroids during their reproductive years, when estrogen levels are highAfter menopause, periods stop, and estrogen levels are low causing fibroid growth to stop. Some post-menopausal women may still experience pelvic discomfort and pressure on the bladder and bowel. You can manage your fibroid symptoms by talking to a fibroid specialist about potential treatment options. 

Fibroids are most common in premenopausal women. Estrogen production can continue even in the absence of menstruation, and factors like obesity can increase estrogen levels, potentially stimulating fibroid growth.  

In the case of missing your period or experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding could indicate an underlying health condition such as uterine fibroids. Tracking your period and symptoms can help you identify irregularities that may require medical attention. 

How Fibroids Affect Menstrual Cycles

How Do Fibroids Affect Menstrual Cycles

Uterine fibroids can disrupt the normal functioning of the uterus, leading to several menstrual irregularities. They can exert pressure on the uterine lining, causing heavier and prolonged bleeding 

Additionally, fibroids may interfere with the uterus’s ability to contract effectively, which can cause painful pelvic cramps during menstruation. In some cases, fibroids can stimulate the growth of blood vessels within the uterus, which can also result in heavier or irregular periods and spotting between periods. 

If you are experiencing heavier or prolonged periods, more intense menstrual cramps, or bleeding between periods, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if fibroids may be the underlying cause. Early diagnosis and treatment can help alleviate symptoms and improve your overall well-being. 

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What is Heavy Bleeding?  

Heavy menstrual bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, is a condition that affects millions of women worldwide. It is characterized by excessive blood loss during menstruation, often lasting longer than seven days. This can cause significant disruption to a woman’s daily life and can lead to other health complications, such as anemia. 

Symptoms of Heavy Bleeding

Here are some signs that your menstrual bleeding might be considered heavy: 

  • Bleeding through one or more tampons or pads every hour for several hours in a row
  • Needing to change sanitary protection at night
  • Passing blood clots larger than a quarter
  • Limiting daily activities due to heavy menstrual flow
  • Feeling tired, fatigued, or short of breath as a result of blood loss

How Are Fibroids Treated?

There are several different ways to treat uterine fibroids, depending on the severity of the symptoms and the woman’s individual preferences. 

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Fibroids can be treated with uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), a non-surgical procedure which shrinks fibroids. The procedure involves interventional radiologists using imaging to guide a catheter to the artery feeding the fibroid and blocks blood supply to the fibroid. By eliminating the blood supply, it causes the fibroid to shrink and die which helps alleviate symptoms like heavy bleeding, bleeding between cycles, frequent urination, painful sex, low energy, or pelvic pain.  

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Benefits of Discussing Treatment Options with a Fibroid Specialist

Uterine fibroids can cause a range of symptoms, from heavy menstrual bleeding to pain and discomfort during sex. Consulting with a fibroid specialist can provide women with the information and guidance they need to make informed decisions about their treatment options. 

Discussing treatment options with a fibroids specialist at USA Fibroid Centers can help women take control of their health and make decisions that are right for them. With proper treatment, women with fibroids can improve their quality of life. 

Contact USA Fibroid Centers for Fibroid Treatment

Fibroids can affect a woman’s cycle and everyday life in more ways than heavy bleeding. If you’re experiencing irregular or painful menstrual symptoms, visit a fibroid specialist at USA Fibroid Centers for an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.

Schedule an appointment online or call us at 855.615.2555 to find relief for uncomfortable fibroid symptoms.  

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