Uterine fibroids develop as a result of aging and commonly affect women in their 30s and 40s, according to the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC). Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow in the uterus and uterine walls. When fibroids are small, a woman may not even be aware of their presence. As fibroids grow in size and number, pain, heavy menstrual bleeding and abdominal pressure may occur. Treatment is usually recommended if fibroids interfere significantly with a woman's life or cause potentially dangerous conditions.
Pressure
Growing fibroids exert pressure on parts of the body near the uterus, affecting normal functioning of these organs. Pressure on the bladder may cause frequent urination or difficulty urinating, while pressure on the rectum causes difficulty having a bowel movement or constipation. Pressure from large fibroids can also cause pain during sex, low back pain and a constant feeling of fullness in the abdomen. In some cases, fibroids grow so large that the entire abdomen becomes distended and the woman looks as if she is pregnant.
Bleeding
Normal menstrual bleeding increases when fibroids are present in the uterus. Heavy, painful periods are common as the fibroids grow. Periods may last longer than usual, and bleeding may occur throughout the menstrual cycle. Rapidly growing fibroids or fibroids that become twisted can also cause severe pain, fever or nausea. Heavy periods may prevent a woman from going to work or participating in her usual daily activities and may even cause anemia. Anemia occurs when there aren't enough red blood cells to adequately transport oxygen throughout the body. Anemia causes fatigue and may result in organ damage if it is severe or long-lasting, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Pregnancy Complications
Fibroids may grow larger during pregnancy, due to the effects of pregnancy hormones and the extra blood flow to the uterus needed to nourish the fetus. As the baby grows and presses against the fibroids, feelings of pain or pressure may increase. Fibroids increase the risk for pre-term labor and breech birth. During a breech birth, the baby's head is not facing downward in the uterus. Large fibroids can block the opening to the uterus. The baby may be able to squeeze past the fibroid into the birth canal during delivery, but in some cases, a cesarean section is needed to deliver the baby. The presence of fibroids increases the risk of placental abruption, a condition that occurs when the placenta prematurely detaches from the uterine wall. A woman who has fibroids is six times more likely to require a cesarean section, according to the NWHIC. Women who have fibroids may experience blood loss after the birth and may need to remain in the hospital until the problem is controlled. Fibroids can also affect a woman's ability to get pregnant and may increase the risk of miscarriage.
