Will Fibroids Cause a Bowel Obstruction?

Uterine fibroids could affect your bladder and bowel habits. You may have to urinate more frequently and you could become constipated. While not common, some women's fibroids will even cause a bowel obstruction. However, this complication would typically be the result of a larger fibroid, and should be preventable with treatment.

 Digestive Problems from Uterine Fibroids

You could experience stomach pain, bloating or constipation as fibroids grow. And that's because larger uterine tumors can put pressure on the colon and stomach. If fibroid growth is left unchecked, the tumors can partially or completely block the small or large intestines, known as a fibroid bowel obstruction.

How Fibroids Impact Bowel Health

Why can fibroids cause a bowel obstruction or other digestive problems? If larger fibroids put pressure on the colon, constipation will often ensure. And, though less common, this study reveals that very large fibroids can also cause a bowel obstruction, resulting in symptoms such as cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, loss of appetite, dehydration, rapid heart rate and dark colored urine. If you develop any bowel obstruction symptoms, you must get immediate medical care. However, by seeking fibroids treatment before tumors massively increase in size, you should be able to prevent serious complications.

Minimally Invasive Fibroid Treatment in Dallas

Small fibroids may not require treatment. Instead, you may be able to monitor tumor growth and manage symptoms such as menstrual cramps or heavy bleeding by taking hormonal birth control. However, if your fibroids are already large enough to put pressure on the colon, relief will have to involve shrinking or removing your fibroids.

What does that mean for you? You might have a myomectomy—when individual fibroids are surgically removed. But you could also avoid surgery with Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE treatment). We perform this minimally invasive fibroid treatment without general anesthesia, and it may be able to prevent fibroid-related bowel obstructions. Request a consultation at the Dallas Fibroid Center to see if you’re a UFE candidate.