A uterine fibroid is a non-cancerous growth that develops in or around the uterus and is common among women of reproductive age. While some fibroids can cause minimal or no symptoms, others can cause symptoms like abnormal bleeding.
Uterine fibroid bleeding can present as prolonged, heavy, or irregular menstrual cycles, disrupting daily life and even leading to complications like anemia.
Understanding the types and causes of fibroid bleeding can help you know when to seek treatment from a fibroid specialist.
At USA Fibroid Centers, we specialize in non-surgical treatments like Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), a minimally invasive procedure that provides relief from fibroid bleeding and other related symptoms.
Do Uterine Fibroids Cause Bleeding?
Uterine fibroid growth can enlarge the uterus, disrupting hormonal regulation during the menstrual cycle. This disruption can increase the production of certain hormones, such as estrogen, stimulating the endometrium’s growth.
As a result, the endometrium (uterine lining) thickens, leading to heavier and prolonged menstrual bleeding. Additionally, fibroids can cause changes in the blood vessels around the uterus, making them more susceptible to fibroid bleeding.
Fibroid Location and Bleeding Patterns
The fibroid’s location impacts symptoms, particularly abnormal bleeding. For example, submucosal fibroids form just beneath the endometrial lining of the uterus. As these fibroids grow, they extend into the uterine cavity, causing increased or irregular bleeding patterns.
Size and Growth of Fibroids
The fibroid’s size and growth affect the severity and patterns of bleeding. Larger fibroids may disrupt the shedding of the uterine lining, leading to increased blood loss and exacerbating symptoms.
Additionally, large fibroids can exert pressure on surrounding blood vessels within the uterus, further contributing to heavier and more prolonged bleeding. Fibroids can impair the uterus’s ability to contract effectively and regulate menstrual flow, leading to longer periods. Monitoring fibroid growth and consulting a fibroid specialist are important steps when managing fibroid bleeding.
Types of Uterine Fibroid Bleeding
Uterine fibroids can cause various bleeding patterns, and knowing these patterns is essential for symptom identification so you can receive the appropriate medical care.
Heavy Bleeding Outside of Menstrual Periods
The most common uterine fibroid bleeding for women is abnormal bleeding, which, in some cases, is mistaken for another menstrual cycle. Abnormal bleeding is any bleeding outside of your average cycle, such as a significantly heavier flow or a recurrence during menopause. Periods lasting longer than 10 days per month or consistent bleeding between menstrual cycles are also considered irregular.
Spotting or Light Bleeding Between Cycles
Uterine fibroid bleeding can also appear as spotting or light bleeding between regular menstrual cycles. Additionally, fibroids can stimulate an increase in blood vessel production within the uterus, contributing to occasional bleeding outside of the menstrual cycle. Some fibroids may even produce hormones directly affecting the uterine lining, further promoting light bleeding or spotting between periods.
Sudden Heavy Bleeding Episodes
Some individuals with uterine fibroids may experience sudden and intense bleeding episodes. These episodes can occur due to rapid fibroid growth or, in rare cases, a ruptured fibroid. Fibroid ruptures often cause severe abdominal pain and other symptoms, such as sudden vaginal bleeding or heavy bleeding during or between menstrual periods. When fibroids hemorrhage like this, immediate medical attention is necessary to prevent complications.
How Fibroid Bleeding Affects Daily Life
If you are experiencing fibroid-related bleeding, it’s important to understand how it may impact your physical health and emotional well-being. Heavy or irregular bleeding can disrupt daily routines, making activities like work, social engagements, and personal relationships more challenging.
You may find that concerns about unexpected bleeding or staining clothing lead to avoiding social events, potentially contributing to feelings of isolation. Heavy bleeding can also create challenges such as frequent bathroom breaks, missed workdays, or difficulty concentrating.
If any of these experiences resonate with you, seeking help from a fibroid specialist is an important step toward finding relief and reclaiming control over your daily life.
Anemia and Fatigue from Blood Loss
Excessive and prolonged menstrual bleeding caused by fibroids can lead to anemia. Anemia occurs when red blood cells decrease or hemoglobin levels drop. Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen to various parts of the body.
Some symptoms of anemia include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and pale skin. Anemia can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, making it essential to address the underlying cause of heavy bleeding.
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Manage Fibroid Bleeding with USA Fibroid Centers
Heavy or irregular bleeding that disrupts daily activities, causes symptoms like fatigue or dizziness, or leads to emotional distress should not be ignored. Early diagnosis and treatment can provide relief, prevent complications, and improve your overall quality of life.
USA Fibroid Centers offers a non-surgical fibroid treatment called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). This minimally invasive fibroid treatment preserves fertility, effectively treats multiple and large fibroids without incisions, and has an extremely low risk of recurrence. UFE typically takes 30-45 minutes and is an effective alternative to more invasive surgeries. It allows you to return to your routine quickly with lasting symptom relief.
If fibroid bleeding impacts your life, it may be time to explore your treatment options. USA Fibroid Centers is here to help. Schedule consultation online or call 855.615.2555 today.
FAQs on Fibroids and Bleeding
Can Fibroids Cause Severe Blood Loss?
One of the most common symptoms of fibroids is heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, as well as any bleeding between periods. This symptom is the result of fibroids interfering with regular uterine lining shedding. This excessive blood loss may result in anemia, with symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and weakness. The severity of bleeding often depends on the fibroids’ size, number, and location, particularly those near the uterine lining.
How Long Does Fibroid Bleeding Last?
Fibroid bleeding can last longer than a typical menstrual period, which usually ranges from 3 to 7 days. Periods with fibroids may extend beyond 7 days and sometimes persist for 8–9 days or more, with bleeding so heavy it requires frequent changes of sanitary products. Medical attention is necessary if bleeding is excessive, causes faintness or anemia, involves large clots, or needs changing products hourly over several days.
Can Fibroids Cause Daily Bleeding?
Fibroid bleeding can become a daily occurrence. Early diagnosis and treatments like UFE can help manage symptoms, allowing you to regain control and improve your daily well-being.
Can Menopause Stop Fibroid Bleeding?
Women with fibroids going through menopause often experience less abnormal bleeding since fibroids shrink when estrogen levels drop during menopause. However, postmenopausal women can experience heavy bleeding from uterine fibroids.
How to Stop Fibroid Bleeding?
Seeking consultation from a fibroid specialist is essential to treating uterine fibroid bleeding. If fibroid bleeding impacts your life, it may be time to explore your treatment options. At USA Fibroid Centers, we offer UFE, which helps minimize symptoms by shrinking the fibroid. Our fibroid experts listen to your concerns and guide you toward the best treatment, no matter what symptoms you’re experiencing.