Can uterine fibroids cause increased vaginal discharge?

Uterine fibroids are a major killer that endangers the health of middle-aged women. There is still no specific cause of the occurrence of uterine fibroids. However, it is certain that people who get angry during menstruation and menopause are the main groups of people who will develop uterine fibroids. The presence of uterine fibroids can cause abnormal bleeding. Some people may experience increased vaginal discharge and abnormal menstruation. Therefore, it is recommended that women have a physical examination every year to rule out uterine fibroids.

Can uterine fibroids cause increased vaginal discharge?

Generally speaking, uterine fibroids cause about 41.99% of increased leucorrhea. Some uterine fibroids will manifest as increased leucorrhea, which makes it easier for women to detect abnormal symptoms in time and diagnose uterine fibroids early. Therefore, uterine fibroids will cause increased leucorrhea.

Uterine fibroids may be accompanied by persistently high estrogen levels, manifesting as anovulatory menstruation or excessive endometrial hyperplasia, causing excessive amount of clear cervical mucus and egg white-like leucorrhea.

Uterine fibroids enlarge the uterine cavity and increase the secretion of endometrial glands, accompanied by pelvic congestion or inflammation, which can increase leucorrhea. When ulcers, infections, bleeding, or necrosis occurs on the surface of submucosal uterine fibroids, a large amount of purulent discharge or necrotic tissue is discharged, accompanied by a foul odor, and the amount can be large. Uterine fibroids, especially submucosal fibroids.

As the uterine cavity area becomes larger, the uterine cavity discharge increases, and is discharged along with the cervical secretions, causing an increase in leucorrhea; another cause is that patients with uterine fibroids are often accompanied by hyperestrogenism. Estrogen can directly cause increased cervical secretions. Some ovulation-stimulating substances can also increase leucorrhea.

Symptoms of uterine fibroids

1. Menstrual changes: the most common symptom. Large intramural fibroids increase the area of ​​the uterine cavity and endometrium, resulting in poor uterine contractions or excessive endometrial hyperplasia, which can lead to shortened menstrual cycles, increased menstrual flow, prolonged menstrual periods, irregular vaginal bleeding, etc. Submucosal fibroids often cause menorrhagia, and as the fibroids grow larger, the menstrual period becomes longer. Once the fibroids become necrotic, ulcerated, or infected, there will be persistent or irregular vaginal bleeding or purulent discharge. Subserosal fibroids and small intramural fibroids often have no obvious menstrual changes.

2. Abdominal mass: Patients often complain of a swollen abdomen and a mass felt in the middle of the lower abdomen. It is easier to palpate in the early morning when the bladder is full and pushes the uterus upward. It is hard and irregular in shape.

3. Increased leucorrhea: Intramural fibroids increase the area of ​​the uterine cavity, increase the secretion of endometrial glands, and are accompanied by pelvic congestion, resulting in increased leucorrhea; submucosal fibroids suspended in the vagina are susceptible to infection and necrosis on their surface, producing a large amount of purulent and bloody discharge and necrotic tissue discharge, accompanied by a foul odor.

4. Abdominal pain, backache, and lower abdominal distension: Patients usually have no abdominal pain, but acute abdominal pain occurs when the pedicle of the subserosal fibroid is twisted. When the fibroids turn red, there is severe abdominal pain and fever. Lower abdominal distension and back pain are common and worsen during menstruation.

5. Compression symptoms: Fibroids compress the bladder and cause frequent urination, urination disorders, urine retention, etc. Compression of the ureter can cause hydronephrosis. Compression of the rectum can cause difficulty in defecation, etc.

6. Infertility: 25% to 40% of the cases are reported in the literature. It may be that the fibroids compress the fallopian tube, causing it to twist, or deform the uterine cavity, hindering the fertilized egg from implanting.

7. Secondary anemia: Long-term excessive menstruation leads to secondary anemia. In severe cases, there are symptoms such as general fatigue, pale complexion, shortness of breath, and palpitations.