Common Signs of Fibroids After Menopause

Most of you would not have heard of growth of fibroids after menopause. In fact fibroids are known to shrink and automatically and eventually disappear with the onset of menopause. However in some women the uterine tumors actually start growing after menopause. A fibroid that grows fast is basically a clear indication of the uterine tumor turning cancerous. Although most fibroids are benign, in case of women whose fibroids grow rapidly after menopause the risk for developing cancer increases substantially. It goes up from 1 in a 1,000 to 1 in a hundred.

The purpose of this article is to share with you information on some of the common symptoms which will indicate the growth of fibroids after menopause. These symptoms should put you on alert. Please consult a doctor immediately upon noticing any of the following symptoms. Please do not be under the impression that since you are in the post-menopausal stage the chance of your suffering from fibroids is remote.

a) Pain: The pain which you'll experience will be something similar to menstrual cramps. It will be particularly noticeable during sexual intercourse. Lower back pain and constipation are some of the other things which may occur depending upon where the uterine tumor is located and which organ it is pressing down on.

b) Pelvic Pressure: As the uterine fibroid grows in size it can cause immense pressure your pelvic region. Some of you may even be able to feel a hard spot through the skin when you examine the area. Fibroids which are large in size can even distort the shape of the uterus and press on the organs near the uterus.

c) Pass urine frequently or Difficulty in Urination: Large sized tumors can press the urinary bladder and cause problems related to urination.

d) Abdominal Bloat: you will experience a feeling of your abdomen being bloated almost all the time. This too would be very similar to the bloating which most of us would have experienced just before the onset of our menstrual cycle.

Excess estrogen is known to trigger the growth of uterine tumors in most women. However with the onset of menopause there is a decrease in the amount of estrogen naturally produced by the body. This should automatically make the tumors shrink in size and disappear altogether. When this does not happen and there is growth of fibroids after menopause it is a cause of concern which must not be ignored.