Heavy Periods, Pelvic Pressure, and Fibroids: What Every Woman Should Know

Introduction: July Is Fibroid Awareness Month

Every month is an opportunity to better understand your body, and July’s focus is especially important. July is Fibroid Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to one of the most common women’s health conditions that is often misunderstood or dismissed.

Uterine fibroids can affect women in different ways. For some, they cause no noticeable symptoms and are found during a routine pelvic exam or ultrasound. For others, they can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, bloating, pressure, or symptoms that interfere with work, family life, intimacy, and overall well-being.

At Together Women's Health, we believe women deserve clear, compassionate, and evidence-based information about their health. If your periods feel unusually heavy, your pelvic pressure is hard to ignore, or something simply feels off; your symptoms are worth discussing with an OB-GYN.

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop from the muscle tissue of the uterus. They are also called leiomyomas or myomas. Fibroids can vary widely in size, from very small growths that are difficult to detect to larger fibroids that can change the shape or size of the uterus.

Fibroids may grow inside the uterine wall, within the uterine cavity, or on the outside of the uterus. Some women have only one fibroid, while others may have multiple. The size, number, and location of fibroids often influence whether symptoms occur and how they affect daily life.

It is also important to know that fibroids are not cancer, and many women with fibroids never need treatment. However, when symptoms are present, they can have a meaningful impact on quality of life and should be evaluated by a provider.

Common Fibroid Symptoms Women Should Know

Not all fibroids cause symptoms. In fact, many women may not know they have them until they are discovered during a routine exam or imaging test. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Periods that last longer than usual
• Bleeding between periods
• Pelvic pain or pressure
• A feeling of fullness or bloating in the lower abdomen
• Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder
• Constipation
• Lower back pain
• Pain during sex
• Fatigue or weakness related to heavy bleeding

Some symptoms may feel easy to brush off, especially if you have been told that painful or heavy periods are “normal.” But symptoms that interfere with your daily life, cause anxiety, or leave you planning your schedule around your period are worth a conversation with your OB-GYN.

When Heavy Bleeding Is More Than “Just Your Period”

Heavy periods are one of the most common symptoms associated with fibroids. While every woman’s cycle is different, bleeding that feels excessive or difficult to manage should not be ignored.

You may want to talk to your provider if you:

• Need to change pads or tampons very frequently
• Pass large blood clots
• Bleed for more days than usual
• Experience bleeding between periods
• Feel tired, dizzy, weak, or short of breath during your period
• Avoid activities because of your flow

Heavy bleeding can sometimes lead to anemia, which occurs when the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen effectively. Anemia can cause fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headaches, or shortness of breath.

You do not have to wait until symptoms feel severe to ask for help. If your period is affecting your quality of life, your OB-GYN can help determine what may be causing it and what options are available.

Fibroids, Fertility, and Pregnancy

For women who are trying to conceive, thinking about pregnancy in the future, or currently pregnant, fibroids can bring up many questions.

• Can fibroids affect fertility?
• Can fibroids impact pregnancy?
• Will fibroids need to be treated before trying to conceive?

The answer depends on several factors, including the size, number, and location of the fibroids. Most fibroids do not affect your fertility or your pregnancy. Others, especially those that distort the uterine cavity, may make it more difficult to become pregnant or may increase the risk of certain pregnancy complications.

If you have fibroids and are planning a pregnancy, it is important to talk with your OB-GYN about your personal health history and reproductive goals. Your provider can help determine whether monitoring, additional imaging, or treatment should be considered.

How Fibroids Are Diagnosed

Fibroids are sometimes discovered during routine pelvic exams. If your provider feels an irregularity in the shape or size of the uterus, they may recommend additional testing.

Diagnosis may include:

• A discussion of your symptoms, menstrual cycle, and health history
• A pelvic exam
• Ultrasound imaging
• Additional imaging if needed
• Bloodwork if heavy bleeding or anemia is suspected

Your OB-GYN may also ask questions about your period, pain, fertility goals, bladder or bowel symptoms, and how your symptoms are affecting daily life. These details help guide the next steps in care.

Treatment Options Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

One of the most important things to know about fibroids is that treatment depends on the individual. Not every fibroid requires treatment, and not every woman needs surgery.

Your care plan may depend on:

• Your symptoms
• The size and location of the fibroids
• Your age
• Whether you want to become pregnant in the future
• Your overall health
• How much symptoms are affecting your quality of life

Treatment options may include watchful waiting, medications to help manage bleeding or pain, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery. For some women, monitoring may be appropriate if fibroids are not causing symptoms. For others, treatment may help reduce bleeding, relieve pressure, or improve quality of life.

Your OB-GYN can walk you through the benefits and considerations of each option so you can make an informed decision that fits your needs and goals.

When to Call Your OB-GYN

Your body often gives you signs when something needs attention. While fibroids are common, symptoms should not be dismissed simply because many women experience them.

Consider scheduling an appointment if you have:

• Heavy or prolonged periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Bloating or abdominal fullness that does not go away
• Pain during sex
• Frequent urination or constipation
• Fatigue or symptoms of anemia
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Known fibroids with worsening symptoms
• You should also seek prompt medical attention if you experience sudden, severe pelvic pain or very heavy bleeding.

Make Your Health a Priority This July

Fibroid Awareness Month is a reminder that common does not mean something should be ignored. Heavy periods, pelvic pressure, bloating, and pain can affect your comfort, confidence, and quality of life, but you do not have to navigate those symptoms alone.

At Together Women’s Health, our providers are here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your options. Whether you are experiencing symptoms for the first time or have been living with fibroids for years, compassionate care starts with a conversation.

Take the next step:

➡️ Schedule an appointment with your Together Women’s Health provider to discuss heavy periods, pelvic pain, or fibroid symptoms.