Can Fibroids Cause Bleeding?
One of the most common symptoms of fibroids is heavy periods. A normal menstrual cycle normally occurs every 25-31 days and lasts from 3-7 days.
Periods are considered heavy if you are:
- Soaking through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours
- Needing to use double sanitary protection to control your menstrual flow
- Needing to wake up to change sanitary protection during the night
- Bleeding for longer than a week
- Passing blood clots
- Experiencing signs of anemia like tiredness, fatigue or shortness of breath.
ā Related: How to Choose the Right Maxi Pads If You Have Heavy Periods
A common cause of heavy periods are uterine fibroids. Myomas are the most common non-cancerous tumors in women (about one-third of U.S. women between ages 25 and 44 report having symptoms of fibromas). Fibroids can be different in size, quantity, and location. While some women do not experience any symptoms, others have a variety of symptoms (pelvic and back pain, heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, enlarged uterus, and in some cases, infertility).
ā Related: How do you get fibroids?
If fibroids are near the uterine lining, or interfere with the blood flow to the lining, they can cause heavy periods, painful periods, prolonged periods or spotting between periods.
