Do Fibroids Cause Constipation?

Do fibroids cause constipation? Yes, constipation is a common symptom of fibroids. Now, not every fibroid growth will cause this health concern. But, depending on the size and location of your fibroids, they could affect your bowel movements. Let's take a closer look.

What are fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are common, non-cancerous tumors found on or in your uterus. They can vary widely in size, typically measuring anywhere between 1 mm to over 10 cm in diameter. Fibroids also develop in different locations; subserosal growths form outside the uterus, while intramural fibroids develop within the muscular uterine wall.
There are also pedunculated fibroids; these grow separate from the uterus, but attach to its outer surface or interior cavity with a stalk-like growth. Finally, submucosal fibroids develop under the lining of your uterine cavity, but these are the least common of the growths.

Do Fibroids Cause Constipation?

In some cases, the size or location of your fibroid may place pressure on your rectum, impacting your bowel movements and sometimes making you constipated. Additionally, fibroids may trigger other disruptive symptoms such as heavy periods, painful intercourse, chronic pelvic pain and frequent urination.

Fibroids and Constipation: How Common is This Symptom?

While constipation isn't the best known symptom of fibroids, research from the International Journal of Women’s Health reveals that over 60% of women with these growths experience either constipation, bloating, diarrhea or lower back pain.

Why would uterine growths impact bowel movements? Well, much of your large intestine, including your rectum, sits behind your uterus. Now, before you're ready for a bowel movement, your rectum fills with stool. Then, if your fibroids cause your uterus to press on your rectum, while it's filled with stool? Well, this compression can make it more difficult for your stool to exit the rectum, leaving you constipated. Furthermore, if your fibroids compress your rectum, you may also experience tenesmus, when you feel the need to move your bowels, but aren't physically able to do so.

Which Fibroids are Most Likely to Cause Constipation?

First and foremost, large fibroids are most likely to cause symptoms such as constipation. And that's why we encourage you to explore your treatment options as soon as you receive a fibroid diagnosis. But their location will also make a difference when it comes to your symptoms. For that reason, fibroids that develop toward the back of your uterus are most likely to cause constipation, since they are close to the colon and can subject the rectum to additional pressure.

Diagnosing Fibroid Related Constipation

Like many fibroid symptoms, many doctors don't realize that constipation could be a sign of these uterine growths. As such, they attempt to improve your bowel movements without addressing your underlying cause, leaving you suffering and leaving you with a delayed fibroid diagnosis.

Want to find relief from constipation and other fibroid symptoms? Our team of Houston is experts is here to help. Just reach out a schedule a fibroids treatment consultation with our office today!