What is a common symptom of uterine fibroids?

Menorrhagia, or heavy menstrual bleeding, is a common symptom associated with uterine fibroids. These benign tumors can disrupt normal menstrual patterns due to their size and location within the uterus. As fibroids grow, they can increase the surface area of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), leading to greater blood loss during menstruation.

Heavy menstrual bleeding can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life, causing fatigue and anemia in some cases. In the context of uterine fibroids, menorrhagia often presents as prolonged periods or periods that are heavier than normal, which is a direct result of the fibroids' interaction with the uterine lining and blood vessels.

Symptoms like pelvic pain and dyspareunia can occur as fibroids can also lead to pelvic pressure and discomfort, but menorrhagia remains the hallmark symptom most commonly associated with these growths. Constipation might occur if fibroids compress surrounding organs, but it is not as directly linked to fibroid presence as heavy menstrual bleeding.