7 Signs You Might Have Uterine Fibroids (And When to See a Doctor)
July is National Fibroid Awareness Month — and if there’s one thing worth knowing, it’s this: uterine fibroid symptoms are incredibly common, widely misunderstood, and far too often dismissed as “just a bad period.”
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop within or around the uterine wall. They can range in size from a tiny seed to as large as a grapefruit — and studies suggest that up to 80% of women will develop fibroids by age 50.¹ Yet many women go years without a diagnosis because their symptoms get chalked up to stress, aging, or normal hormonal changes.
The truth? Your symptoms are telling you something. Here are seven signs you might have uterine fibroids — and what to do next.
Sign #1: Abnormally Heavy or Prolonged Periods
This is the most common and disruptive uterine fibroid symptom. If your period soaks through pads or tampons every hour, lasts longer than 7 days, or regularly passes large clots, that’s not just “a heavy flow.” That’s a clinical symptom worth investigating.
Heavy menstrual bleeding caused by fibroids can lead to iron-deficiency anemia over time, leaving you chronically fatigued, dizzy, or short of breath, which can easily be confused with other conditions.
Sign #2: Pelvic Pain or Pressure That Won’t Go Away
A dull ache, heaviness, or sharp cramping in your lower abdomen — especially outside of your period — can be a sign of fibroids pressing on surrounding tissue. Some women describe it as feeling like something is “sitting” in their pelvis.
This pressure isn’t just uncomfortable. Over time, it can affect your posture, sleep, and day-to-day mobility. Pelvic pain that persists between cycles or intensifies during your period warrants a closer look.
Sign #3: Frequent or Urgent Urination
Fibroids that grow toward the front of the uterus can press against the bladder, reducing its capacity and triggering a near-constant urge to urinate. You may find yourself going to the bathroom more often than usual — including waking up multiple times at night — without any signs of a urinary tract infection.
If a UTI has been ruled out but the urgency persists, fibroids may be the culprit.
Sign #4: Constipation or Rectal Pressure
Just as fibroids can press forward into the bladder, they can press backward into the rectum. This may cause constipation, difficulty with bowel movements, or a persistent feeling of rectal fullness or pressure — even after using the bathroom.
This symptom is frequently overlooked or attributed to diet. But if dietary changes haven’t helped and you’re also experiencing other symptoms on this list, fibroids deserve a spot on your radar.
Sign #5: Pain During Sex
Uterine fibroid symptoms don’t stop at your period. Fibroids — particularly those located near the cervix or on the outer surface of the uterus — can make intercourse painful or deeply uncomfortable. This is sometimes described as a deep, internal pain during or after sex.
Pain during intimacy is never something you should simply endure. It’s a meaningful symptom that can significantly impact your quality of life and relationships, and it’s worth raising with your healthcare provider.
Sign #6: Lower Back or Leg Pain
This one surprises many women. Fibroids located toward the back of the uterus can press against spinal nerves, causing radiating pain that travels to the lower back, hips, buttocks, or even down the legs. It can feel a lot like sciatica.
If you’ve been living with mysterious lower back pain that doesn’t respond to physical therapy or rest — and you have other symptoms on this list — ask your doctor about fibroids.
Sign #7: A Swollen or Enlarged Abdomen
In some cases, particularly when fibroids grow large or multiple fibroids develop, the uterus can enlarge enough to cause visible abdominal swelling or a distended belly that isn’t related to weight gain. Women sometimes describe feeling like they look pregnant despite no pregnancy.
This symptom typically indicates more advanced fibroid growth and is a clear signal to seek evaluation promptly.
Signs You Might Have Uterine Fibroids and When to See a Doctor?
See a doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Periods that are heavier than usual or last longer than 7 days
- Pelvic pain or pressure that’s persistent or worsening
- Urinary frequency not explained by a UTI or other condition
- Unexplained fatigue (which may indicate fibroid-related anemia)
- Pain during sex that’s new or worsening
- A swollen or enlarged abdomen without a clear cause
You don’t need all seven signs to know you might be experiencing uterine fibroids and to seek help. Even one or two of these symptoms, especially if they’re disrupting your daily life, is enough reason to ask about a fibroid screening. Diagnosis typically involves a pelvic ultrasound, which is quick, non-invasive, and widely available.²
You Have More Treatment Options Than You Think
One of the most important things to know during Fibroid Awareness Month: a hysterectomy is not your only option.
Many women are still told that removing the uterus is the solution — but approximately 60% of hysterectomy patients aren’t aware that non-surgical fibroid treatment alternatives exist.¹ One of the most effective is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE).
What Is UFE?
Uterine fibroid embolization is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. During UFE, tiny particles are delivered through a small catheter into the uterine arteries, cutting off the blood supply that feeds the fibroids. Without blood flow, fibroids shrink and symptoms resolve.
Key benefits of UFE include:²
- No surgery or general anesthesia required
- Same-day discharge — patients go home the same day
- Fast recovery — most women return to normal activities within 1–2 weeks
- Uterus preserved — important for women who may wish to conceive
- Treats all fibroids at once, regardless of size or location
- Over 90% of patients report significant improvement in symptoms²
Clinical studies show that 87% of women report improvement in bleeding symptoms and 93% report improvement in pelvic pain and pressure within three months of UFE.³
The Bottom Line
Too many women spend years suffering from uterine fibroid symptoms without knowing what’s causing them, or without knowing that effective, non-surgical fibroid treatment options exist. This Fibroid Awareness Month, that changes.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization provides a safe and effective way to treat uterine fibroids without major surgery. Chat with CU Medicines’ physicians today to see if this innovative, low-risk treatment fits you. Call us at (720) 516-0637.
References
- USA Fibroid Centers. Empowering Women Through Fibroid Awareness. https://www.usafibroidcenters.com/blog/empowering-women-through-fibroid-awareness/
- Penn Medicine. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). https://www.pennmedicine.org/treatments/uterine-fibroid-embolization
- Fibroid Specialists. Uterine Fibroid Embolization FAQs. https://www.fibroidspecialists.org/fibroid-embolization-ufe-faq
