Normal menstrual periods typically last four to five days, whereas women with fibroids often have periods lasting longer than seven days. Bleeding between periods is not usually associated with fibroids and should always be investigated by a physician. Although abnormal bleeding can occur with any of the three classes of fibroids , women with submucous fibroids seem particularly prone to this complication.
Pelvic pressure results from an increase in size of the uterus or from a particular fibroid.
It is not unusual for a uterus with leiomyomas to reach the size of a four to five month pregnancy. Pressure on these structures can result in difficulty with bowel movements and constipation or urinary frequency and incontinence. Leiomyomas are also associated with a range of reproductive dysfunction including recurrent miscarriage, infertility, premature labor, fetal malpresentations, and complications of labor. Although few studies exist regarding fibroid-related reproductive dysfunction, the prevailing clinical perspective is that these complications most often occur when fibroids physically distort the uterine cavity. It is less clear whether fibroids in the wall of the uterus cause reproductive problems.