Have you felt some discomfort and wondered if fibroids cause back pain? Well, if you already have a fibroids diagnosis, we don’t need to tell you that these are muscular tumors that grow within your uterine cavity or wall without causing cancer. It’s likely that you’ve already experienced fibroid symptoms, since that’s the typical path to getting a diagnosis. So many women find out they have fibroids because their periods are heavy. Or because sex becomes painful. But these aren’t the only symptoms you may experience.
In fact, fibroid symptoms can also include back, leg and stomach pain. Now, you might be wondering: how could growths in my uterus cause so much widespread pain? Well, growing fibroids can put pressure on so many other parts of your body. And, if they press on the sciatic nerve, that could cause back pain that radiates all the way to your buttocks, hips and legs. Of course, we know that experiencing widespread pain can be scary. But there is relief in understanding your symptoms. So, today, we’re going to help you understand how fibroids in your uterus can impact your entire your body, especially your back.
And we’ll do that in a minute. First, though, we want to talk about the Today Show’s Jill Martin. She’s been very open about her fibroid diagnosis and her painful symptoms. So we’re sharing her story, to help you feel less alone.
Sharing Your Fibroid Journey 
When you’re living with fibroids, it can feel like you’re alone with your pain. And that’s why we always spotlight women who share their fibroid stories—to help you see that you have a community, as well as different pathways to relief.
Today, let’s talk about Jill Martin, a frequent guest on NBC’s Today Show. She revealed that fans kept asking if she was pregnant. But she actually had fibroids large enough to make her look like she was expecting.
And that wasn’t all. Jill was also grappling with painful sex as well as widespread pain in her body. At first, she tried to just live with her symptoms. Yet as her got worse, she could no longer even do her job. Luckily, that’s when she looked into different treatment options. And she chose to have Uterine Fibroid Embolization, or UFE.
Shortly after her procedure, she announced that her pain and bloating were already less noticeable. At that time, she told her Today Show community, “Before discovering this treatment, I thought the only way to fix my pain meant getting a hysterectomy. After talking with other women who suffer from fibroids, I realized I’m not alone — many of them thought that a major surgery to remove their uterus was their only real solution, too. But there are other options. And when you are in pain, more often than not, it is time to do something.” We applaud that message, and we hope that, when fibroids cause back pain or other symptoms, you will follow Jill’s lead and look into treatment options as well.
The Impact of Fibroids on Your Entire Body
Did you know that back pain caused by fibroids is pretty common? One Journal of Fertility and Sterility study revealed it’s a symptom experienced by 60% of women with fibroids. Another 22% also experience stomach pain, while 25% deal with symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, and/or constipation. And we can get a better understanding of why this happens by looking at what fibroids do to your uterus.
You see, as fibroids form, they may change your uterus’ shape. And that can push the uterus against other body parts, as we mentioned earlier. But that’s not the only way fibroids spread pain. Sometimes, they grow outside the uterus, putting pressure on your rectum, bladder or even your spine. So, depending on their location, it’s very likely that fibroids will cause back pain or abdominal symptoms. Also possible? A fibroid pressing on your veins could make standing difficult, or leave you with swollen legs. And that’s why you should mention all the symptoms you’re currently experiencing when you visit our fibroid specialists in Dallas.
What Does it Feel Like to Have Fibroid Pain?
Every woman with fibroids has her own unique experience. Furthermore, the type of pain you experience will depend on the location and size of your fibroids. But, while the location may vary, fibroid pain is typically dull and chronic, not sharp and stabbing. Some women talk about feeling pressure or heaviness. However, when fibroids start to deteriorate—which can happen if you delay treatment—then, the pain could be sharp, and limited to one location.
Now, while every woman’s symptoms are different, pain is a common complaint. And so is fatigue, long and heavy periods, and even anemia. Still, just because these symptoms are ‘normal’ for women with fibroids doesn’t mean they’re worth living with. Instead, we invite you to explore our minimally-invasive treatment options. So that you can stop fibroids that cause back pain and other intrusive symptoms.
Finding Fibroid Pain Relief Without Surgery
We can’t say this enough: there are several fibroid treatment options. Surgery is not your only pathway to relief. Especially not a hysterectomy.
Now, you may wish to surgically remove your uterine fibroids via myomectomy. But, even with a laparoscopic incision, this is still an invasive procedure. As such, we encourage you to research uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). This is a minimally invasive procedure performed by our Dallas fibroids specialists.
In almost every instance, this option is preferable to the surgical removal of your uterus (hysterectomy.) After all, that surgery immediately triggers menopause, in addition to other side effects such as bone and memory loss.
In contrast, we perform UFE with catheters that access and cut off blood supply to your fibroid. Afterward, your uterine fibroids gradually shrink until they completely disappear. In the days and weeks that follow, your back pain should improve, as should all your other fibroid symptoms.
Want even better news? Since UFE is a minimally invasive procedure, you won’t need general anesthesia. And you shouldn’t have to say overnight in the hospital. Plus, UFE has a much faster recovery time than other treatment options, and we can perform this procedure with nothing more than a small arm incision. Finally, we’ve enjoyed high success rates with UFE, so most women only need one procedure to find lasting relief.
Ready to say good bye to fibroid-related back pain? Want to see if UFE is right for you? We’re here to provide you with a consultation that can clarify your ideal treatment option. We invite you to reach out to our team today and schedule an appointment at our new fibroid treatment center in Dallas.
Sources: Journal of Fertility and Sterility
