What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?

Common symptoms of uterine fibroids include abnormal menstruation, lower abdominal mass, compression symptoms, increased leucorrhea, and secondary anemia. Uterine fibroids are common benign tumors in the female reproductive system, and their symptoms are closely related to the location, size and number of fibroids.

1. Abnormal menstruation

Uterine fibroids may cause shortened, prolonged or heavy menstrual periods, and in severe cases, irregular vaginal bleeding. When submucosal fibroids or intramural fibroids increase the area of ​​the uterine cavity, the area of ​​endometrial shedding increases. At the same time, the fibroids affect uterine contraction, resulting in a significant increase in menstrual flow. Long-term heavy menstruation may cause anemia symptoms such as fatigue and heart palpitations, which require a clear diagnosis through gynecological ultrasound.

2. Lower abdominal mass

When the size of the fibroid exceeds the size of 3 months of pregnancy, the patient may feel a hard mass in the lower abdomen, especially in the morning when the bladder is full. When subserosal fibroids grow toward the abdominal cavity, they are more likely to form palpable masses, which may be accompanied by a sinking feeling or lumbosacral soreness, and need to be differentiated from ovarian tumors.

3. Symptoms of oppression

Compression of the bladder by anterior wall fibroids can cause frequent urination and urgency, and compression of the rectum by posterior wall fibroids can cause constipation or tenesmus. Broad ligament fibroids compressing the ureter may cause hydronephrosis, and huge cervical fibroids may even hinder delivery. Compressive symptoms usually appear gradually as the fibroid grows, and MRI can accurately locate the relationship between the fibroid and surrounding organs.

4. Increased leucorrhea

Submucosal fibroids may cause purulent leucorrhea when accompanied by infection. Intramural fibroids increase the area of ​​the uterine cavity and lead to increased endometrial gland secretion. If combined with endometrial inflammation, the leucorrhea may have a yellow odor, and routine leucorrhea examination is required to rule out diseases such as vaginitis.

5. Secondary anemia

Long-term menorrhagia may lead to symptoms of iron deficiency anemia such as pale complexion, dizziness and fatigue. When hemoglobin is lower than 60g/L, compensatory heart rate increase may occur. The degree of anemia is positively related to the amount of bleeding, and needs to be evaluated through routine blood tests combined with serum ferritin testing, and other bleeding diseases should be ruled out at the same time.

It is recommended to conduct regular gynecological examinations and pelvic ultrasound to monitor changes in fibroids, and avoid taking estrogen-containing health products. Appropriate supplement of animal liver, spinach and other iron-rich foods can prevent anemia, and keep the perineum clean to reduce the risk of infection. If severe bleeding, severe abdominal pain or rapid growth of fibroids occurs in a short period of time, timely medical treatment is required to rule out the possibility of malignant transformation.