Symptoms of uterine fibroids

Whether uterine fibroids are symptomatic and whether they are mild or severe is mainly determined by the location, size, number and complications of the uterine fibroids. Some uterine fibroids are small, grow slowly, and have no symptoms, and may remain undetected throughout life. In recent years, due to the widespread use of B-type color ultrasound examinations, many patients are found to have uterine fibroids through B-ultrasound examinations during basic physical examinations, but they themselves have no symptoms. Most patients are diagnosed due to symptoms. Common symptoms of uterine fibroids include abnormal uterine bleeding, abdominal lumps, vaginal discharge, compression symptoms, etc. Clinical symptoms of uterine fibroids:

1. Menstrual changes

It is the most common symptom of uterine fibroids, which can be manifested as changes in menstruation (i.e. increased menstrual flow, longer menstrual periods, or shorter menstrual cycles) or persistent, non-menstrual bleeding. Among various tumors, those that are most likely to cause vaginal bleeding are intramural fibroids and submucosal uterine fibroids, while subserosal fibroids are smaller and have menstrual changes.

2. Abdominal mass

It is usually found after uterine fibroids grow out of the pelvis and is obvious in the morning when the stomach is empty and the bladder is full. The lump is usually located in the middle of the lower abdomen, is solid, movable, irregular in shape or has an uneven feeling, and grows slowly. Subserosal fibroids are more common.

3. Increased female secretions

Intramural fibroids expand the area of ​​the uterine cavity, increase the secretion of the endometrial gland ducts, and are accompanied by pelvic congestion, resulting in excessive vaginal discharge; cervical fibroids that prolapse into the female vagina are prone to infection and necrosis on the surface, resulting in the discharge of a large amount of thick bloody fluid and necrotic tissue, accompanied by a foul odor.

4. Abdominal pain and abdominal distension

When the subserosal fibroid is twisted, it will cause acute abdominal pain. When it turns bright red, the abdominal pain will be severe and may be accompanied by fever. Submucosal uterine fibroids stimulate uterine contractions, which may cause lower abdominal pain, back pain, and aggravation during menstruation.

5. Oppressed Diseases

As uterine fibroids expand, they can compress adjacent organs and cause various symptoms, especially uterine fibroids under the uterine body and cervix. Compression of the bladder can cause frequent urination, urgency, difficulty urinating or urinary retention; compression of the duodenum can cause difficulty in defecation; in rare cases, compression of the urethra by the broad ligament tumor can cause hydronephrosis; compression of the internal and external iliac veins and nerves can cause edema of the lower limbs or neuralgia.

6. Infertility or miscarriage

Uterine fibroids compress the bilateral fallopian tubes, causing them to bend and deform the uterine cavity, thus preventing the embryo from implanting. Submucosal uterine fibroids can cause miscarriage.

7. Secondary anemia

Excessive menstruation can cause secondary anemia.

8. Oligoglycemia

Secondary hypoglycemia due to uterine fibroids is also rare. The specific manifestations are low blood sugar, loss of consciousness and even shock. The symptoms can be completely eliminated after glucose injection. The symptoms of hypoglycemia completely disappeared after the tumor was removed.