We are not exactly sure why fibroids occur.
During a woman’s reproductive years her estrogen and progesterone levels are high. When estrogen levels are high, especially during pregnancy, fibroids tend to swell. When estrogen levels are low fibroids may shrink, e.g. during a woman’s menopause.
Most women have no symptoms. That is why most patients with fibroids do not know they have them. When symptoms do develop, they may include:
- Anemia (as a result of heavy periods)
- Backache
- Discomfort in the lower abdomen (especially if fibroids are large)
- Frequent urination
- Heavy painful periods
- Pain in the legs
- Painful sex
- Swelling in the lower abdomen (especially if fibroids are large)
Fibroids remains unsymptomatic for many years but cam cause symptoms also as very rightly mentioned above. Menstrual irregularities is most common symptom.