Fibroids and Bladder Issues: Understanding the Connection

Uterine fibroids are common in many women, although most don't have any symptoms. Fibroids are smooth muscle benign growths that usually don't pose any health risks.

However, in some cases, especially if the fibroids are large, they can have some adverse effects such as cramps, heavy periods and, often, bladder problems.

Urinary Frequency

• The need to urinate frequently throughout the day can be due to a fibroid pressing on the bladder.

Incontinence

• A fibroid that is pressing on the bladder can cause urine to leak or dribble, leading to incontinence.

Difficulty in Passing Urine

• A large fibroid can partially or wholly block the bladder so that urine can't exit. This is a serious problem, and a doctor should be seen right away for help in emptying the bladder.

Cystitis or Bladder Infections

• Urine that is trapped in the bladder due to a fibroid obstruction can get infected and cause chronic bladder infections.

Urinary Urgency

• Urinary urgency is a sudden and immediate need to urinate that comes on very frequently. This is caused by urine being pushed by a fibroid against the bladder, leading to an uncontrolled urgency.