They are more likely to produce pressure symptoms than heavy periods or infertility. They project into the womb cavity and greatly disrupt its shape. They are the type most likely to cause fertility problems. Sometimes they grow into the uterus, filling it and even growing out of the cervix. The most common complaints of women with fibroids are pressure symptoms and heavy periods.
Fibroids can cause very heavy periods, leading to iron-deficiency anaemia.
They don't cause disturbance to the menstrual cycle itself - typically the bleeding is regular but much heavier than usual. There is a well-established relationship between the presence of fibroids and lower fertility or childlessness. Often they are discovered on pelvic examination, where the uterus feels larger than expected with hard round lumps felt arising from the surface. Ultrasound scan can tell where the fibroids are located and give an idea of their size. Hysteroscopy is particularly useful for seeing the submucous fibroids and assessing how much of the uterine cavity is involved.