What Are the Dangers of Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine Fibroids occur in as many as 75 percent of women sometime in their lives. The growths are noncancerous and in some cases have no noticeable symptoms. In some case uterine fibroids can cause severe pain and lead to dangerous medical conditions.

Submucosal Fibroids

• Submucosal fibroids occur in the inner portion of the uterus and can be responsible for heavy menstrual bleeding. They can also cause difficulty in conceiving.

Subserosal Fibroids

• Subserosal fibroids occur outside the uterus and can press on the bladder, causing urinary tract infection symptoms, or press on the rectum and cause constipation. In worst cases it can press on the spinal nerve resulting in back pain.

Infertility

• According to the Mayo Clinic between two and ten percent of women with fibroids will experience problems when trying to conceive.

Abnormal Bleeding

• Approximately 30 percent of women with fibroids will have heavy menstrual flow and premenstrual spotting. In severe cases the blood loss can lead to anemia.

Pain

• Pain in the uterus is rare. If it does occur it may be associated with a degeneration of the tumor after it is affected by an infection or other injury. The most common treatment is a hysterectomy.