Short answer

What are the most common fibroid symptoms?

The most frequent symptoms are periods that become longer or heavier, pain or a feeling of fullness and pressure in the lower abdomen, and urinary frequency. At the same time, a large share of fibroids cause no symptoms and are found incidentally. Which symptoms appear depends largely on where the fibroid sits within the uterus.

Periods that last longer, become heavier or contain clots are most typical of fibroids close to the uterine lining (submucosal). Prolonged heavy bleeding can gradually cause anaemia and fatigue — the most common reason fibroids end up needing treatment.

Pain and pressure symptoms

Growing fibroids can press on neighbouring organs, causing lower-abdominal fullness, urinary frequency, constipation or back and groin pain; this pattern belongs mostly to fibroids growing outward (subserosal) or within the wall (intramural). Pain during intercourse is also reported.

Reproductive symptoms

Some fibroids — particularly those involving the uterine cavity — can make conception harder or affect pregnancy. Because this topic matters in its own right, we cover it separately on our fibroids and pregnancy page.

Fibroids without symptoms

A fibroid that causes no symptoms usually needs nothing more than periodic monitoring. Knowing you "have a fibroid" is not, by itself, a reason for treatment.

When should you see a doctor?

  • A clear change in your periods: longer, heavier or clot-containing bleeding
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Persistent lower-abdominal pain or increasing pressure
  • Signs of anaemia such as fatigue and weakness
  • Difficulty conceiving
  • Sudden severe abdominal pain (needs urgent assessment)
How are fibroids diagnosed?
See the treatment options