What are the Symptoms?

The majority of fibroids do not cause symptoms. Depending on location, size and number of fibroids, they may cause:

• Heavy, prolonged menstrual periods and unusual monthly bleeding, sometimes with clots. This might lead to anemia.
• Pelvic pain
• Pelvic pressure or heaviness
• Pain in the back or legs
• Pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Bladder pressure leading to a constant urge to urinate
• Pressure on the bowel, leading to constipation and bloating

They typically improve after menopause when the level of estrogen, the female hormone that circulates in the blood, decreases dramatically. However, menopausal women who are taking supplemental estrogen (hormone replacement therapy) may not experience a relief of symptoms.

Symptoms can be related to the location of fibroids.

• Subserosal fibroids develop in the outer portion of the uterus and expand outward. They typically do not affect a woman's menstrual flow, but can become uncomfortable because of their size and the pressure they cause.
  
• Intramural fibroids develop within the uterine wall and expand, making the uterus larger than normal. These are the most common fibroids. This can result in heavier menstrual flows and pelvic pain or pressure.
  
• Submucosal fibroids are deep within the uterus, just under the lining of the uterine cavity. These are the least common fibroids, but they often cause symptoms, including very heavy and prolonged periods.