If you’re dealing with bloating, constipation, or ongoing digestive discomfort, you might assume the problem is coming from your gut. But for many women, the source of these symptoms is actually uterine fibroids.
This information may surprise you at first, but the reality is that fibroids don’t just affect your menstrual cycle. They can also put pressure on nearby organs and disrupt normal digestion.
This month, the Fresno Fibroid Center team is focusing on all things related to fibroids and GI problems. Here’s what you need to know.
Depending on where in your uterus the uterine fibroids grow (and how big they grow), fibroids can press against your surrounding organs. Your uterus sits close to your intestines, rectum, and bladder, so they’re all at risk of being irritated by fibroids.
As fibroids grow, they can crowd this space and interfere with normal digestive function. Fibroids may cause GI symptoms by:
Large fibroids can put pressure on your intestines, slow digestion, and increase your risk of constipation. In rare cases, severe pressure can cause more serious digestive problems like small bowel obstruction, which is why you shouldn’t ignore ongoing symptoms.
If fibroids compress your rectum, bowel movements can become difficult or incomplete. Not only is this uncomfortable, but chronic constipation can also lead to other problems like hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and impaction.
Fibroids, particularly large fibroids, can contribute to bloating and abdominal fullness, even without dietary changes. Because fibroids can take up so much space in your abdomen, they can also cause early satiety or feeling full quickly when eating.
When you feel full all the time, it can be hard to eat balanced meals and get the nutrients your body needs each day.
Digestive symptoms caused by fibroids can mimic common gastrointestinal conditions.
If your fibroids are affecting your digestive system, you may experience:
Since bloating and constipation are common symptoms, many women are encouraged to adjust their diet, take laxatives, or manage stress, even though imaging isn’t always done to check for fibroids. The problem is that treating digestive symptoms alone won’t resolve the pressure fibroids placed on nearby organs.
That’s where we can help.
If these symptoms occur alongside heavy periods, pelvic pain, or urinary frequency, it’s time to talk to us.
Your symptoms only tell one part of the story. Dr. Ashkan Behzadi, Dr. Benjamin Pruett, Dr. Brian Ng, or Dr. Sean Tower may order imaging studies, such as ultrasound or MRI, to see the size, number, and location of fibroids and determine whether they may be affecting your digestion.
Once they have a clear picture of what’s going on, they may recommend the right treatment for you. Our team specializes in trans-radial uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).
UFE is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedure that cuts off the blood supply to your fibroids, causing them to shrink and take pressure off your digestive system.
If you’re struggling with bloating or digestive discomfort that won’t go away, call 559-216-0746 to learn more about your fibroid treatment options today. You can also use our online scheduling system.
