1. Heavy menstrual bleeding: Fibroids can cause heavy, prolonged or painful menstrual bleeding.
2. Pelvic pain: Some women with fibroids experience pelvic pain or discomfort, which can be constant or intermittent.
3. Pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen: Large fibroids can cause a feeling of pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen, as well as bloating or constipation.
4. Frequent urination: If a fibroid is pressing on the bladder, it can cause frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder completely.
5. Pain during intercourse: Fibroids can cause pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse.
6. Infertility: In some cases, fibroids can interfere with fertility or cause complications during pregnancy.

Size: Fibroids can range in size from very small (less than one centimeter) to very large (more than 10 centimeters). Size can affect the severity of symptoms and the available treatment options.

Number: Fibroids can occur as a single tumor or as multiple tumors. Women with multiple fibroids may experience more severe symptoms.

Location: Fibroids can develop anywhere in the uterus, and the location can affect symptoms and treatment options. Some common locations include the outer surface of the uterus (subserosal), the muscle layer of the uterus (intramural), and the inner surface of the uterus (submucosal).

1. Pelvic exam: During a pelvic exam, your doctor can feel for any abnormalities in the uterus, such as fibroids. However, not all fibroids can be detected this way.
2. Imaging tests: Ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans can be used to visualize the uterus and detect the presence of fibroids. These tests can also help determine the size, location, and number of fibroids.
3. Hysteroscopy: This is a minimally invasive procedure in which a thin, lighted scope is inserted through the cervix to view the inside of the uterus. Hysteroscopy can be used to detect and sometimes remove fibroids that are located inside the uterine cavity (submucosal fibroids).
4. Biopsy: In some cases, a biopsy may be performed to rule out the possibility of cancer. However, fibroids themselves are not cancerous.

If you are experiencing symptoms related to uterine fibroids, your doctor may recommend one or more of these diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. Based on the results of these tests, your doctor can then recommend appropriate treatment options.

1. Watchful waiting: If fibroids are small and not causing any symptoms, your doctor may recommend a wait-and-see approach with regular monitoring.
2. Medications: Hormonal medications such as birth control pills, progestins, or GnRH agonists can help manage symptoms such as heavy bleeding and pelvic pain. These medications do not cure fibroids, but can shrink them in some cases.
3. Minimally invasive procedures: Procedures such as uterine artery embolization, myomectomy, or MRI-guided focused ultrasound can be used to remove or shrink fibroids while preserving the uterus.
4. Hysterectomy: In severe cases, a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may be recommended. This is a permanent solution and is usually only recommended if other treatments have failed or if the fibroids are very large or causing significant symptoms.

However, in rare cases, fibroids can cause complications that require medical attention. For example, a fibroid that grows rapidly or becomes twisted can cause severe pain and require emergency treatment. Fibroids that grow very large can also put pressure on nearby organs and cause problems such as urinary retention or constipation.

In addition, fibroids can sometimes cause complications during pregnancy, such as preterm labor, fetal growth restriction, or placental abruption. Women with fibroids who become pregnant should be monitored closely by their healthcare provider.

While uterine fibroids themselves are not typically life-threatening, the symptoms they cause can have a significant impact on a woman’s quality of life. Heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and other symptoms can be disruptive and may require medical intervention. If you are experiencing symptoms related to uterine fibroids, it’s important to talk to your doctor about treatment options.