The symptoms of fibroid tumors can be many and varied.
The good news is that although we associate the word tumor with cancer, fibroids are not cancerous.
The bad news is that they can still be pretty troublesome.
Heavy periods.
Fibroids may cause long periods, flooding (a sudden gush of blood) passing large clots of blood.
These symptoms are normally associated with submucous fibroids which grow into the womb.
Pain.
You may suffer a variety of different painful symptoms from that which could be caused by a large clot of blood pushing through the cervix or "neck" of the womb.
Cramps may also be caused by the womb trying to expel a fibroid that is growing on a stalk in the womb cavity.
One or more large fibroids can make the womb bulky and lead to pain in the pelvic area or lower back pain.
When fibroids press on nerves or blood vessels which lead to the legs then you may feel dull aching in the thighs or you may develop varicose veins.
Anaemia.
If fibroids are causing very heavy periods then the resultant blood loss can give rise to anaemia or iron deficiency.
This can lead to dizziness, tiredness weakness.
Though supplements or a diet rich in foods containing high levels of iron such as leafy green vegetables such as spinach, liver, whole grains, peas and beans, or dried fruit.
Incontinence.
Large fibroids can press on the bladder leading to leaking or dribbling of urine.
Frequent need to urinate, urgent pressing need to urinate, cystitis caused by trapped urine becoming infected.
If you should find you're unable to pass urine seek medical attention.
Constipation.
The pressing of a large fibroid on your bowel may lead to constipation and or haemorrhoids.
Fibroid tumors may not interfere with pregnancy at all though if the fibroids block the entrance to the fallopian tubes which prevents eggs from reaching the womb it can make conceiving difficult.
A fibroid which blocks the birth canal can interfere with labour or birth and your doctor may recommend a caesarean section