Heavy Or Inconsistent Bleeding
Most women have a consistent pattern of bleeding during their menstruation that will typically make their period lasts 3 4 days. With fibroids, this bleeding can become much heavier and last significantly longer. This is especially true if the fibroids are submucosal fibroids located inside the uterine cavity.
Even the smallest fibroid inside the cavity can result in extreme bleeding. Spotting and bleeding in between periods is another sneaky sign of fibroids.
Many Patients With Fibroids Struggle With Bladder Symptoms
Have you struggled with urinary symptoms that arent responding to traditional bladder treatments? Do you also struggle with painful cramping and/or intense bleeding? Uterine fibroid tumors might be a hidden source of your symptoms. A new research study has shown that when fibroid tumors are reduced in size and/or removed, urinary symptoms can improve dramatically. In fact, 97% of the patients in this study had urinary symptoms and 65% were cured of their urinary symptoms once the fibroids were treated.1
Fibroids Can Cause Frequent Urination Difficulty Urinating Or Urinary Incontinence
Anterior fibroids can obstruct the urinary tract and press on the bladder, causing frequent urination, difficulty urinating, pain while urinating, and even urinary incontinence. Larger fibroids can occasionally obstruct the ureters . In such cases, the kidneys mays swell due to an inability to drain urine .
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Why Are Fibroids So Painful
Fibroid growth is attributed to hormones, birth control pills, and foods like processed meat, salty foods, and high-fat dairy products. According to the Office on Womens Health, estrogen and progesterone stimulate the development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy. This causes fibroids to swell.
As for why fibroids are so painful, there are a variety of reasons:
Do Fibroids Affect Fertility
Fibroids shouldnt prevent you from getting pregnant, says Dr. Holland. I see lots of patients who are pregnant with fibroids. Unless the fibroids are interfering with the lining of the uterus, they shouldnt affect fertility. But if you have fibroids and are unable to get pregnant, having the fibroids removed can increase your chances.
During pregnancy, fibroids may prevent your baby from getting into the appropriate position with the head down, explains Dr. Holland. Babies are more likely to be breech in these instances because the fibroids restrict the babys ability to move around and get into position.
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Uncomfortable Pressure Sensations In The Pelvis
Pelvic pressure symptoms are rather common in fibroids. Around 30% of women with diagnosed uterine fibroids report sensations of chronic pressure on the bladder or inside the abdomen.³ Pelvic pressure sensations can vary from mild discomfort to episodes of intense pain and are sometimes accompanied by sensations of congestion, bloatedness, or heaviness.
Urinary Incontinence And Frequency
One of the organs commonly affected during the growth of the fibroid tumors is the bladder. As added pressure is applied to this organ, the risk of urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, as well as frequent urination increases. Not only can this cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, but it can also become a hindrance in your everyday activities.
Another possible effect of uterine fibroid tumor growth can be increased pressure to the bowel. This can cause uncomfortable constipation and/or bloating. If you feel you are experiencing these potential symptoms of fibroids on a regular basis, consult with a medical professional in order to rule out or diagnose any potential serious medical conditions.
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What Qualifies As Frequent Urination
Most people use the bathroom to urinate between six and eight times during the day. This includes one nighttime bathroom break and going multiple times during the day. If you find yourself often urinating at night or exceeding eight times during the day, you should try to get to the bottom of why you are urinating so often. Start by taking stock of what youre drinking and eating throughout the day. Can you cut out coffee or alcohol? Are you drinking too much water?
Think about your stress levels, and examine any hormonal changes that you might be under. Theres a chance that your increased urination can be linked to one of those. If you suspect that you might have an ongoing, or more serious problem, like fibroids, contact us. Our knowledgeable staff is on hand to answer any questions that you may have and will certainly set up a consultation with you so that you can get back to the business of living your full life.
What Other Uterine Conditions Cause Urinary Urgency
UTIs and uterine fibroids are not the only two conditions or diseases that may lead to frequent urination. Others that you should be aware of and talk to your doctor about include:
- Mental conditions such as depression or anxiety
- If you take any medications that act as a diuretic
- Food and drinks that act as diuretics such as caffeine or alcohol
- Stroke and other nervous system conditions like neuropathy
- Interstitial cystitis, a type of inflammation of the bladder wall
- Overactive bladder syndrome, which causes involuntary bladder contractions
- Kidney stones
- Certain kinds of cancer treatments
- Sexually transmitted diseases
Its always good to be aware of different aspects that may influence your bladders regularity. If you think you have any of the above, see your primary physician immediately. Many of these conditions are treatable if diagnosed early on. Annual womens health exams can help detect UTIs, STDs or STIs, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and other uterine diseases.
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A Pelvic Mass Discovered During Another Examination
A discovery during some other check-up is one of the ways to detect uterine fibroids. Thats the advantage of having a medical awareness from an early age.Women who have frequent checkups and take care of their body have a higher possibility of discovering fibroids early. If a doctor discovers them while theyre still small, the patient should act and book surgery quickly. Visiting a doctor is regularly always a good idea.
Robotic Or Laparoscopic Myomectomy
During a myomectomy, your doctor will remove the fibroids, but leave your uterus in place. If there are few fibroids, they may opt to perform a laparoscopic or robotic procedure. This process involves using slender instruments inserted through small incisions in your abdomen. The fibroids are then removed from your uterus.
If the fibroids are larger, they can be removed through smaller incisions by breaking them into pieces, or morcellation. This process is done inside a surgical bag, or by increasing the size of one incision to remove the fibroids.
Your physician will look in your abdominal area using a small camera attached to an instrument that sends the images to a monitor. The use of robotic myomectomy allows your doctor a 3D, magnified image of your uterus to provide precise movement of the removal process. This procedure will also give your doctor more flexibility and dexterity with their movements than is possible with other techniques.
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Bladder Care For Women
If you have bladder problems, you are certainly not alone. There are over 9 million women in the UK with some form of bladder problem and with an ageing, growing population this figure is sure to rise.
Problems related to the bladder are still more common in women than men with around 4 million men in the UK affected, however, these problems can have a huge impact on the quality of life of both men and women.
Bladder problems in women can happen for a variety of reasons and may be linked to a specific issue, condition or phase in life. Common reasons are
- Pregnancy and childbirth can contribute to an increased risk for women as the pelvic floor muscles can be weakened or damaged during this time
- Some women may also find that problems increase or appear during or after the menopause
- Lifestyle can also be a contributing factor as being overweight or diabetic can also increase the risks of developing problems
It’s Easy To Get The Care You Need
See a Premier Physician Network provider near you.
Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumor in women. The good news is that theyre almost always benign and are not life-threatening. And having children is still possible.
Obstetrician/gynecologist Larry Holland, DO, explains what you need to know about fibroids and infertility.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Uterine Fibroids
Most fibroids do not cause any symptoms and dont require treatment other than regular observation by your healthcare provider. These are typically small fibroids. When you dont experience symptoms, its called an asymptomatic fibroid. Larger fibroids can cause you to experience a variety of symptoms, including:
- Inability to urinate or completely empty your bladder.
- Increased abdominal distention , causing your abdomen to look pregnant.
The symptoms of uterine fibroids usually stabilize or go away after youve gone through menopause because hormone levels decline within your body.
Get Answers From Fibroid Institute Dallas
Uterine fibroids typically cause a host of life-altering symptoms. However, for women who arent experiencing the typical symptoms such as bleeding and pelvic pressure and discomfort, its easy for fibroids to sneak through undetected. As a result, its important to stay on top of regular physical exams. In addition, do not hesitate to let your doctor know about even the smallest changes to your health and wellness.
However, if you do have fibroids and are experiencing painful fibroid symptoms, please know that at Fibroid Institute Dallas, we dont believe you need to decide between suffering in silence or having a hysterectomy. We are dedicated to treating fibroids using Uterine Fibroid Embolization , the gold standard in non-surgical fibroid treatment.
Do you have questions about fibroid pain and UFE as an option to relieve those symptoms for good? Request a free 10-15 minute phone screening to determine if you are eligible. However, you must have a formal consultation before your procedure is scheduled. Telehealth consults and/or in-office appointment consults are available. Dr. Suzanne Slonim is voted a top fibroid doctor for women in North Texas and the leader in UFE fibroid treatment without surgery. To learn more about the non-surgical, revolutionary fibroid treatment, Uterine Fibroid Embolization , call 214-838-6440.
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Sensation Of Feeling Full But With No Appetite
A person typically knows their own limits as to how much they can eat and when their stomach should be full. If you notice you are beginning to feel full before you’ve consumed an average amount of food, or haven’t eaten, it could be a sign uterine fibroids have developed in your stomach. These fibroids can push up into your stomach and cause you to feel full because there is limited space for digestion.
If gone untreated, you could lose a significant and unhealthy amount of weight because you are not feeling hungry and not eating. You need to contact your physician at All Womens Care to have your condition diagnosed and treated.
Preventing Pressure On Bladder
The best way to treat bladder pressure is to avoid experiencing it in the first place. Below are some tips to help prevent infections, and in turn, pressure on the bladder.
Underwear: Wearing loose, comfortable, cotton underwear prevents bacteria from being trapped near the urethra and causing an infection.
Shower: Showering rather than bathing reduces your risk of getting an infection, as the warm water of the tub is great for bacteria and the soap can wash away any protective mucous membranes.
Dont hold it: If you have the urge to urinate, do so as soon as you can. Holding urine in your bladder can create a breeding ground for bacteria, which leads to infection.
Water: Drinking plenty of water helps to flush your system and can reduce the risk of getting a bacterial infection.
While pressure on the bladder has a variety of causes that can vary by sex, most are not very serious and can be treated easily. However, it is important to seek the advice of a healthcare professional if you are experiencing bladder pressure so that its cause can be accurately diagnosed and appropriately treated before your condition worsens.
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What Does Uterine Fibroid Pain Feel Like
There are a variety of feelings you might experience if you have fibroids. If you have small fibroids, you may feel nothing at all and not even notice theyre there. For larger fibroids, however, you can experience discomforts and even pains related to the condition. Fibroids can cause you to feel back pain, severe menstrual cramps, sharp stabbing pains in your abdomen and even pain during sex.
Are There Any Risks Related To Fibroid Treatments
There can be risks to any treatment. Medications can have side effects and some may not be a good fit for you. Talk to your healthcare provider about all medications you may be taking for other medical conditions and your complete medical history before starting a new medication. If you experience side effects after starting a new medication, call your provider to discuss your options.
There are also always risks involved in surgical treatment of fibroids. Any surgery places you at risk of infection, bleeding, and any inherent risks associated with surgery and anesthesia. An additional risk of fibroid removal surgery can involve future pregnancies. Some surgical options can prevent future pregnancies. Myomectomy is a procedure that only removes the fibroids, allowing for future pregnancies. However, women who have had a myomectomy may need to deliver future babies via Caesarean section .
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What Are Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are growths made up of the muscle and connective tissue from the wall of the uterus. These growths are usually not cancerous . Your uterus is an upside down pear-shaped organ in your pelvis. The normal size of your uterus is similar to a lemon. Its also called the womb and its the place where a baby grows and develops during pregnancy.
Fibroids can grows as a single nodule or in a cluster. Fibroid clusters can range in size from 1 mm to more than 20 cm in diameter or even larger. For comparison, they can get as large as the size of a watermelon. These growths can develop within the wall of the uterus, inside the main cavity of the organ or even on the outer surface. Fibroids can vary in size, number and location within and on your uterus.
You may experience a variety of symptoms with uterine fibroids and these may not be the same symptoms that another woman with fibroids will experience. Because of how unique fibroids can be, your treatment plan will depend on your individual case.
What You Need To Know
Fibroids: What You Need to Know
- Uterine fibroids are an extremely common condition in which solid tumors develop in the uterus.
- Fibroids are not cancerous and do not increase the risk for uterine cancer.
- It is not known what causes fibroids, but studies suggest genetics and prolonged exposure to estrogen may increase your risk of developing fibroids.
- Symptoms can include heavy and prolonged periods, bleeding between periods, pressure in the abdomen and pelvic pain.
- Fibroids are most often found during a routine pelvic exam or incidentally noted on imaging. If treatment is needed, it may include medications or surgery.
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How Long Does Fibroid Pain Last
Fibroid pain lasts a different amount of time for every person, depending on the location and size of the fibroid. Some people develop chronic pelvic pain because of their fibroids and experience pain all month long. Some people may have worse pain during their menstrual periods.
Some people experience a sudden, sharp, shooting pain that is caused by the twisted stalk of a pedunculated fibroid. The pain may go away once they change position, or in some cases require an emergency room visit and myomectomy.
How Large Do Uterine Fibroids Need To Be Before Being Surgically Removed
The normal uterine size is the size of a lemon or 8 cm. There isnt a definitive size of a fibroid that would automatically mandate removal. Your healthcare provider will determine the symptoms that are causing the problem. Fibroids the size of a marble for instance, if located within the uterine cavity, may be associated with profound bleeding. Fibroids the size of a grapefruit or larger may cause you to experience pelvic pressure, as well as make you look pregnant and see increased abdominal growth that can make the abdomen enlarged. Its important for the healthcare provider and patient to discuss symptoms which might require surgical intervention.
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What Causes Bladder Pressure
There are many different reasons why you may be experiencing pressure on the bladder. It can vary from something as simple as a urinary tract infection to something as serious as cancer. Below are some of the most common causes of pain and pressure on the bladder.
Urinary tract infection: UTIs can occur anywhere within the urinary tract and are caused by bacteria. Those experiencing a urinary tract infection can have an urgent need to pee but find it difficult to completely empty the bladder, resulting in painful pressure.
Cystitis: This is inflammation of the bladder caused by the same bacteria that causes UTIs. Cystitis only occurs in the bladder and kidneys and can cause muscle spasms that make it feel as though there is pressure on the bladder.
Obstruction: Urinary retention can be caused by an obstruction in the urethra that blocks the flow of urine, which creates pressure on the bladder. Common obstructions include kidney stones and benign or malignant tumors.
Muscular disorders: Conditions such as Parkinsons disease, stroke, and spinal cord injuries can lead to an overactive bladder, an issue where the muscles and nerves in the bladder become too sensitive and cause premature urination or leakage.
Prostatitis: Pressure on the bladder can also vary by sex. Men specifically may experience pressure on the bladder due to prostatitis, an infection of the prostate gland.