condition-guides

Uterine Fibroids: Symptoms, Cycle Effects, and What to Track

Uterine fibroids can cause heavy periods and pelvic pressure. Symptoms vary by fibroid location. Here's what to recognize and what to log for medical care.

What Fibroids Are and Who Gets Them Uterine fibroids (also called leiomyomas or myomas) are the most common noncancerous growths of the uterus. They develop from the smooth muscle cells of the uterine wall and can grow as a single fibroid or in clusters. Their prevalence is high. The majority of people with a uterus will develop at least one fibroid at some point during their lifetime, though many never know it because symptoms are absent. They are not cancer and do not become cancer. The risk of a uterine sarcoma, a cancerous uterine tumor, is very low and is distinct from fibroid disease. This guide is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. How Fibroids Affect the Menstrual Cycle Heavy Bleeding The most disruptive symptom for most people is menorrhagia, heavy menstrual flow. The mechanism varies by fibroid type: Submucosal fibroids increase the surface area of the uterine lining, producing more tissue to shed and interfering with the normal muscular contractions that limit bleeding. They also compress the blood vessels that would otherwise restrict flow. Intramural fibroids can prevent the uterus from contracting efficiently, allowing more blood