01
Understanding uterine fibroids
Symptoms depend partly on the size, number and position of fibroids. A clinician may consider your symptoms, life stage and preferences when discussing tests and treatment.
A consistent record can show whether bleeding, pressure or bladder and bowel changes are stable, worsening or linked to your cycle.
02
What might be worth noticing?
Experiences vary. These are prompts for a conversation, not a checklist for self-diagnosis.
- Heavy, long or painful periods and bleeding between periods
- Pelvic pressure, abdominal fullness or lower-back pain
- Pain during sex
- Frequent urination or constipation
03
What should I track before an appointment?
Track only what is useful and manageable. A simple, consistent record is more helpful than a perfect one.
- 01Bleeding days, flow, flooding and clots
- 02Pain or pressure location, intensity and duration
- 03Abdominal, bladder and bowel changes
- 04Fatigue, dizziness and sleep
- 05Medicines or other strategies and their effect
- 06Work, exercise, intimacy, care and social impact
04
Questions you could take to your doctor
- “Could fibroids explain my symptoms or should other causes be considered?”
- “What imaging or blood tests might be useful?”
- “Should iron levels be checked because of the bleeding?”
- “What treatment options fit my symptoms, age and fertility plans?”
Appointment tip: lead with the change that worries you most, how long it has been happening and what it stops you doing.
05
How can this affect mental and emotional wellbeing?
Bleeding, pain and pressure can affect concentration, intimacy, body confidence and willingness to make plans. Those effects are legitimate health information and worth including in an appointment summary.
06
When should I seek medical help?
- See a doctor for heavy periods, bleeding between periods or symptoms that affect daily life.
- Seek urgent care for very heavy bleeding with fainting or dizziness, or for sudden severe pelvic or abdominal pain.
This guidance is general. If you are unsure what to do, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse in Australia.
07
Sources and further reading
We used these Australian health sources to check the factual information in this guide.