Fibroids are growths that form either on or within the uterus and are not cancerous. Most women with fibroids won’t have any symptoms, but some may feel uncomfortable, and back pain is a common problem. In this article, we’ll talk about how fibroids might affect your back, what symptoms you might notice, and how they can be treated. If unexplained back pain leads you to think about fibroids, read on to better understand the tie between the two and what you can do about your symptoms.
What Are Fibroids?
Fibroids are non-cancerous tumours that grow in the muscle of the uterus. They are sometimes called uterine leiomyomas or myomas. It’s common for women to get fibroids at some point in their lives. Although researchers don’t know the precise cause of fibroids, estrogen is thought to be a key hormone in how they grow.
You can find tiny fibroids; some can grow as large as a melon. While fibroids are sometimes silent, they can also create problems such as heavy period bleeding, bloating, pelvic pain, and back pain for some women.
Can Fibroids Cause Back Pain?
Fibroids can indeed cause back pain, but it’s helpful to know how and why this happens. How much fibroids affect back pain depends mostly on where they grow, their size, how many there are, and what structures surround them.
1. Pressure on Nerves and Muscles
As fibroids get bigger, they may stress muscles, nerves, and the nearby blood vessels. If a fibroid develops near the back of the uterus, it might squeeze the nerves that run from the back to the pelvis. As a result, you might feel Pain or discomfort in your lower back that gets worse as the fibroid presses on nearby nerves.
2. Enlarged Uterus and Pelvic Misalignment
If fibroids get big or there are many of them, the uterus may swell. When the uterus gets bigger, it can upset the position of your pelvis and lead to changes in your posture. Because of this, women may suffer from ongoing back pain or feel a consistent heaviness in their lower back because of fibroids.
3. Muscle Strain from Compensating for Pain
Abdominal or pelvic discomfort caused by fibroids often results in women changing the way they stand or move. To manage pelvic discomfort, women often put extra pressure on their lower back muscles, which can make back pain worse.
Signs and Symptoms of Fibroids That May Lead to Back Pain
It’s important to know that back pain connected to fibroids usually comes along with other symptoms. Watching out for these symptoms can help you know if fibroids might be the reason for your back pain.
- Heavy or Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding: Fibroids could be to blame if heavy or long periods happen with your back pain. It’s especially true when the fibroids are in the uterine cavity or on the uterine lining.
- Pelvic Pressure or Fullness: If you notice pressure or fullness below your belly, combined with back pain, fibroids could be causing your symptoms. It happens because the fibroids pressure your uterus and nearby organs.
- Pain During Intercourse: If sexual intercourse causes you Pain, fibroids could be the reason. The discomfort may also send Pain down into the lower back.
- Frequent Urination: When fibroids are large and apply pressure to the bladder, you may go to the bathroom often or feel as if you have to urinate without success.
- Abdominal Distention: Bloating and abdominal distention caused by fibroids can cause lower back pain as the body gets used to these physical changes.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Suppose your back pain doesn’t resolve or gets worse, together with other symptoms like heavy bleeding, abdominal pain, or bloating. In that case, it’s wise to see a doctor. A woman’s health specialist can check for fibroids using a pelvic exam, ultrasound, or MRI.
You should also see a doctor right away if your back pain is severe or comes on suddenly and doesn’t get better with OTC medication, as this may be a sign of something more serious.
Treatment Options for Fibroids and Back Pain
Women with back pain caused by fibroids have several treatment options. The choice usually depends on the severity of the fibroids, the Pain or discomfort the woman experiences, and her general health.
1. Medication for Pain Relief
For many women, using over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce fibroid pain. Medications known as NSAIDs can help you feel less Pain and reduce swelling. If the Pain is strong, your doctor may give you more powerful pain medicine or medicines that relax muscles to help with your back pain.
2. Hormonal Therapy
Taking hormonal drugs may help your fibroids get smaller or grow more slowly, easing back pain. Doctors sometimes use birth control pills, IUDs that release hormones, or shots with hormones for hormonal treatments. The goal is reducing estrogen levels so fibroids don’t grow as much.
3. Minimally Invasive Procedures
When fibroids cause a lot of Pain and discomfort, doctors may suggest minimally invasive procedures. These options include:
- Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE): These fibroids will shrink with time by stopping the blood supply to the fibroids. This procedure has been shown to improve pain and other symptoms.
- Laparoscopic Myomectomy: This approach removes fibroids with just a few small cuts, easing symptoms for women with fewer or smaller fibroids.
- MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS): Special sound waves from this method are focused on the fibroid tissue to destroy and shrink it.
4. Surgical Options
For women with severe fibroids, surgery could be needed when earlier treatments don’t help. Options include:
- Hysterectomy: Only when all other options fail or when a woman does not want to keep her fertility is a hysterectomy, removing the uterus, considered the best available treatment for fibroids.
- Myomectomy: It removes just the fibroids, so the uterus is kept, and women who haven’t completed childbearing can choose this method.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies to Manage Fibroid-Related Back Pain
Besides medical treatments, making certain lifestyle changes and using home remedies might help reduce fibroid-related back pain.
- Exercise: Doing yoga and stretching exercises regularly helps make your back muscles stronger and keeps your posture better.
- Hot and Cold Compresses: Applying heat to your lower back often eases muscle tension, and a cool compress may reduce swelling.
- Healthy Diet: A healthy diet with foods that balance hormones may help prevent fibroids from growing. Try to eat more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, especially while keeping your intake of processed foods and sugar to a minimum.
Conclusion
Back Pain from fibroids can make daily life difficult, but knowing about the link can improve how you treat the symptoms. Anyone who feels back Pain plus other symptoms such as pelvic pressure or heavy bleeding should talk to a healthcare provider about possible treatments. Getting diagnosed early and beginning treatment can ease fibroid discomfort and improve daily life.
Talk to a doctor if you think fibroids are causing back pain. Several good treatment options are available that can control symptoms and improve your overall health.
Also Read: Do You Need a Pap Smear After a Hysterectomy? Understanding the Facts
