Fibroids & Polyps: What Are the Symptoms?

Fibroids & Polyps: What Are the Symptoms?

Fibroids

Most fibroids are harmless, and many women never experience any symptoms from them. It is important that women visit their doctor for a proper diagnosis of fibroids.

If symptoms do occur, they may include:

Abnormal bleeding:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), sometimes with the passage of a blood clot
• Very prolonged bleeding with periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Spotting before or after periods

Pain:

• Pelvic cramping or pain with periods
• Lower back pain
• Pressure or a sense of fullness in the lower abdomen, gas
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain or difficulty with bowel movements

Reproductive problems:

• Infertility
• Multiple miscarriages
• Early labor

Urinary problems:

• Urinating often
• Leaking urine

Contact your health care provider if you notice changes in your usual menstrual pattern such as bleeding between periods, increased cramping, a heavier flow, or if you develop a feeling of fullness or heaviness in your lower abdomen. Your health care provider will prescribe appropriate fibroid treatment.

Polyps

Most polyps are so small they often do not cause any symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they usually include:

Abnormal bleeding:

• Abnormally heavy periods
• Inconsistent periods (the length and heaviness is unpredictable)
• Bleeding in between periods
• Spotting after intercourse
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding after douching, intercourse, or between periods

White or yellow mucus:

• Vaginal discharge due to infection

Reproductive Problems:

• Infertility

Contact your health care provider if you notice a change in your usual menstrual pattern such as abnormally heavy periods or abnormal bleeding or discharge from the vagina. You health care provider will prescribe an appropriate treatment for polyps.