6 Sneaky Uterine Fibroid Symptoms You Really Shouldn’t Ignore

How much a fibroid, or fibroids, causes you to bleed is also often tied to its type. For example, fibroids that bulge into the uterine cavity—called submucosal fibroids—are often associated with the most significant bleeding changes, regardless of the fibroid’s size. “It can be a small fibroid, but if it’s in the [uterine] cavity, you may notice symptoms earlier than if the same size fibroid were not in the [uterine] cavity,” Dr. Huynh says. The other two types are subserosal (which protrudes on the outside, or surface, of the uterus) and intramural (these grow within the muscle layer). If intramural and subserosal fibroids are large enough, both can lead to heavy bleeding and infertility.

2. You feel cramping and experience bloating when you’re not on your period.

Uterine fibroids can push against surrounding organs, leading to bloating and cramping, Dr. Huynh says: “Usually, the pain, cramping, and discomfort is located in the lower abdomen [or] pelvis because of the location of the fibroids,” she explains, noting that it’s similar to what you might feel on your period—even though you’re not. The discomfort can range in severity and sensation. Large uterine fibroids, for example, can cause a person to experience “bulk” symptoms—meaning, the fibroid’s sheer size takes up space in the uterus, leading to a bloated or “full” feeling, Dr. Huynh says. That bloated feeling can cause some bathroom issues, too; John Hopkins Medicine says that bulking is sometimes associated with increased urination and constipation.

Other times, the pain is less “all over,” and is more isolated (and maybe harsher). One rare example of this are pedunculated fibroids, which attach to the uterus with a long, stem-like growth, causing sudden, strong abdominal pain that goes in and out—similar to really bad period cramps. In other rare cases, a fibroid may grow faster than its blood supply, which can also cause similarly intense sensations.

3. Bathroom trips are a burden.

Dr. Huynh says that when a uterine fibroid puts pressure on the bladder or bowel, it might feel harder—or even painful—to poop or pee. “The sheer force of the fibroids pushing and compressing against the rectum [causes people to] push against that force to have a bowel movement,” she adds. Similarly, if the fibroid is pushing against the bladder, the organ doesn’t have as much space as it would if the fibroid wasn’t there. You may feel like you have to pee more frequently or are unable to empty your bladder completely.

4. Sex is painful.

In a study of 21,746 people diagnosed with uterine fibroids,³ nearly one quarter of participants reported that they often experienced pain and pressure during sex. Dr. Huynh explains that this can happen when a uterus that is enlarged by uterine fibroids shifts, moves, and presses on different areas during the act. You might feel mild discomfort or sharp pain, Dr. Kim says: “Depending on [the fibroid’s] location, just the act of intercourse can be uncomfortable, or [pain] only occurs [during] deep penetration.”

5. You feel pressure or pain in your lower back.

An enlarged uterus from uterine fibroids may press against surrounding nerves, organs, muscles, and the spine, which can lead to lower back pain. This might feel like a dull ache, cramp, sharp sting, or pain that might travel down the leg. Lower back pain is most common when the fibroid is located toward the back of the uterus, Dr. Kim says.

6. You have trouble getting pregnant.

Many people with uterine fibroids, whether or not they’re symptomatic, can get pregnant, but the condition can sometimes contribute to infertility in 2 to 3% of cases.⁴ This usually happens for one of two reasons, Dr. Kim explains: Either the fibroid is so large that a fertilized egg is unable to implant on the wall of the uterus or the fibroid blocks the fallopian tubes.