Symptoms of Fibroids
Posted on 03. Mar, 2009 by Shola Oslo in Fitness
Most women are unaware that they have uterine fibroids, a condition that frequently occurs in women of childbearing age, because the symptoms are wide-ranging and can be easily dismissed as something different. Half of the women with uterine fibroids do not experience the most common symptoms at all. In fact, women with no symptoms will often be diagnosed by a doctor during a pelvic exam or when they have difficulty getting pregnant.
The commonly found symptoms from which you can detect fibroids are listed below.
Distension of the abdomen ” a woman with abdominal distension has a hard, pregnant-looking belly that becomes more swollen over time. A belly that is swollen and solid to the touch is a symptom of uterine fibroids.
Heavy menstrual cycle ” Bleeding during menstruation is another symptom and women with fibroids have heavy menstrual cycle and abnormal bleeding. The pads and tampons need to be constantly changed and would be soaked all the time. Sometimes it may even lead to blood transfusion.
Abnormal bleeding ” apart from heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle some women may experience irregular spotting in-between periods. Sometimes the periods may last for more than 6 days. A few of the women even experience secretion of heavy black clots during menstruation.
Spotting bleeding after menopause ” Women with fibroids would experience vaginal bleeding even after menopause. This is a major sign of fibroids that have developed very badly.
Body pains ” women who are affected with fibroids experience back pain as well as pain in the back of the legs. The nerves of the uterus that connect the brain lie close to the nerves of the back and legs.
Spasms ” Women experience cramps as these fibroids are identified as foreign particle by the uterus that need to be discarded. Women sometimes even experience immense cramps as if they are about to go in for a labour. The pain is so severe that even pain killers wouldnt help in reducing the pain.
Pelvic pain ” this particular pain can result in the inception of a constant mild aching sensation to very unfathomable pain, depending on the severity of your fibroids. Some fibroids can compress many other internal organs causing uncomfortable pressure as well.
Urinary problems ” another problematic issue is when a woman has large fibroids this may lead to experiencing constant and frequented urination, as the fibroid compresses the bladder, or difficulty urinating, if the fibroid is interfering or clogging any part of the urinary system. Incessant urinary tract infections are also linked to fibroids thwart the functioning of the urinary system.
Constipation ” The fibroids may also cause bowel irregularities if they compress the colon, this may lead to painful digestion and are often wrongly thought to be irritable bowel syndrome.
Painful intercourse, low sex drive” fibroids that are large enough to create pressure on other organs interfere with the pleasure of intercourse. The pain is enough to cause a low sex drive, but the blood loss coupled with anaemia and other fibroid symptoms make intercourse a most undesirable activity.
Miscarriage and infertility ” fibroids can cause serious problems for women trying to become pregnant by clogging up the fallopian tubes, keeping an egg from implanting in the uterus. In women who have become pregnant, the uterus can recognize the fibroids as foreign bodies and it may contract, causing spasms and potentially miscarriage.
Hence it is quite essential to take the necessary steps to prevent the fibroids from developing before it is too late. The size of the fibroid being small should not be ignored as they can lead to serious problems if not treated early and may even affect the health of rest of the organs.
Even in the most extreme cases where a woman looks visibly pregnant from fibroids or needs blood transfusions during her period, she began with symptomless small fibroids. It is difficult to determine exactly how problematic the fibroids will be in the future but it is important not to take the gamble and do nothing.
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