3 Nov 2026

4 mins read

Fibroids and Periods: Symptoms, Heavy Bleeding, Treatment

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Key Takeaways

  • Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus, and many people with fibroids have no symptoms at all.
  • Fibroids that grow into or close to the uterine cavity, particularly submucosal fibroids, are more likely to cause heavy or prolonged periods.
  • Symptoms can include heavy bleeding, longer periods, bleeding between periods, pelvic pressure, frequent urination and lower back pain.
  • Fibroids are commonly diagnosed with an ultrasound. Treatment can range from monitoring and medicines to procedures or surgery.
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding can cause iron-deficiency anaemia, so persistent heavy flow, fatigue, dizziness or breathlessness should be medically assessed.

Fibroids can make periods heavier, longer and more painful, but not everyone with fibroids has symptoms. The way they affect your period depends partly on their size, number and, importantly, where they are growing in relation to the uterine lining.


What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths made from muscle and connective tissue that develop in or around the uterus.


They are also called leiomyomas or myomas. Fibroids can range from very small growths to much larger ones, and you may have one or several at the same time.


Many fibroids cause no symptoms and are discovered during a pelvic examination, ultrasound or another medical test.


Types of Fibroids and Which Ones Affect Periods

Where a fibroid grows can influence the symptoms it causes.


Type Where It Grows How It May Affect Periods
Submucosal Beneath the uterine lining and into the uterine cavity Most strongly associated with heavy or abnormal bleeding
Intramural Within the muscular wall of the uterus Can contribute to heavy or prolonged periods, particularly if it changes the uterine cavity
Subserosal On the outside of the uterus More often associated with pressure symptoms than menstrual bleeding
Pedunculated Attached to the uterus by a stalk Symptoms depend on whether it grows towards or away from the uterine cavity

Submucosal fibroids can cause significant bleeding even when relatively small because they affect the surface of the uterine cavity.


How Fibroids Affect Your Periods

Fibroids can change both how much you bleed and how long your period lasts.


You may notice:


  • Heavier periods: Needing to change period protection much more frequently than usual.
  • Longer periods: Bleeding that continues for more days than your usual cycle.
  • Bleeding between periods: Spotting or bleeding outside your expected period.
  • More period pain: Fibroids can contribute to stronger cramping or pelvic discomfort.
  • Blood clots: Heavy flow can make larger or more frequent menstrual clots more likely.

Small clots can occur during normal periods too, so clots alone do not confirm fibroids. Read Mahina's Blood Clots During Period: Normal Or A Concern? for more on when clot size and frequency deserve attention.


Other Symptoms of Fibroids

Fibroids can cause symptoms beyond your period, particularly as they become larger or press against nearby organs.


These may include pelvic heaviness or pressure, a feeling of fullness or bloating in the lower abdomen, needing to urinate more often, constipation, lower back pain or discomfort during sex.


Not having these symptoms does not rule out fibroids.


Fibroids vs Adenomyosis vs Endometriosis

These conditions can all cause painful or heavy periods, but they affect the body differently.


Condition What It Is Common Period Symptoms
Fibroids Non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus Heavy or long periods, clots, bleeding between periods
Adenomyosis Tissue similar to the uterine lining grows into the muscular wall of the uterus Heavy, painful periods and pelvic tenderness
Endometriosis Tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus Painful periods, pelvic pain and pain during sex

Symptoms can overlap, so the cause cannot reliably be identified from bleeding patterns alone.


Who Is More Likely to Get Fibroids?

In India, fibroids are most commonly identified during the later reproductive years, particularly in the 30s and 40s. A 2026 analysis of Global Burden of Disease data found that, among women of reproductive age in India, fibroid incidence was highest in the 35–39 age group.


Indian hospital studies show a similar pattern. A study from South-Eastern India found that most women diagnosed with fibroids were 30–39 years old, while a Maharashtra study found the largest proportion of cases among women aged 31–40 years. The South-Eastern India study also found an association between fibroids and overweight or obesity.


Age is only one factor, and these hospital-based studies cannot tell us an individual's likelihood of developing fibroids. Family history, body weight and reproductive and hormonal factors may also influence risk. Fibroids are uncommon before puberty and often shrink after menopause as reproductive hormone levels fall.


How Are Fibroids Diagnosed?

An ultrasound is one of the main tests used to confirm fibroids and identify their size, number and location.


Your doctor may first ask about your periods and other symptoms and carry out a pelvic examination. Ultrasound can then show whether fibroids are present.


Depending on the symptoms and fibroid location, further tests such as hysteroscopy, saline sonography or MRI may sometimes be used.


Treatment Options

Fibroids do not always need treatment. Treatment depends on your symptoms, fibroid size and location, age and whether you may want to become pregnant in the future.


If fibroids are small and not causing problems, your doctor may simply monitor them.


Medicines can help control symptoms such as heavy bleeding and pain. Options may include tranexamic acid, some hormonal contraceptives, a hormonal IUD where appropriate, and certain GnRH medicines.


When symptoms are more severe, options can include procedures such as uterine artery embolisation or radiofrequency ablation, or surgery such as myomectomy, which removes fibroids while leaving the uterus in place. Hysterectomy may be considered in some cases when other approaches are unsuitable or have not worked.


The right option is individual, particularly if future pregnancy is important to you.


Managing Heavy Periods With Fibroids Day to Day

Period products can help you manage heavy flow, but they do not treat the fibroids causing it.


If your periods are heavy, track how often you need to change protection, how long you bleed and whether you regularly pass large clots. This information can also help your doctor understand how much the bleeding is affecting you.


Heavy or prolonged periods can gradually lower your iron levels and lead to anaemia. Fatigue, dizziness, weakness, headaches or breathlessness can be signs worth checking. Read Mahina's Iron, Periods & Fatigue: The Connection Explained for more.


For managing the flow itself, Mahina's higher-absorbency period underwear can be useful on heavier days. Explore Mahina’s period panties for heavy flow.


For particularly heavy nights, Mahina's DeepSleep period panty is an overnight absorbent underwear that holds 80 ml of menstrual blood and is designed for up to 12 hours of overnight wear. Change sooner if your flow reaches the product's capacity.


When to See a Doctor

Speak with a doctor if heavy, long or painful periods are affecting your everyday life or are noticeably different from your usual cycle.


Get checked if you have persistent bleeding between periods, increasing pelvic pressure or pain, difficulty emptying your bladder, or symptoms of anaemia such as ongoing tiredness, weakness or breathlessness.


Seek more urgent medical care for very heavy bleeding that is making you feel faint, weak or unwell, or sudden severe pelvic pain.


Conclusion

Fibroids are common and usually non-cancerous, but their effect on periods varies widely.


Some cause no symptoms, while others can lead to heavy or prolonged bleeding, clots, pain and pressure symptoms. Fibroids growing close to or within the uterine cavity are particularly associated with abnormal bleeding.


If heavy periods are becoming something you simply plan your life around, get the cause checked. An ultrasound can often identify fibroids, and treatment can then be tailored to your symptoms, health and future plans.

Table of content

FAQ

Can fibroids cause heavy periods?

Yes. Heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding are common symptoms of fibroids, particularly when fibroids grow close to or into the uterine cavity.

Do fibroids cause blood clots during periods?

They can. Fibroids can increase menstrual bleeding, and heavier flow can be accompanied by larger or more frequent blood clots. Clots alone, however, do not confirm fibroids.

Can fibroids make periods last longer?

Yes. Fibroids can cause longer, heavier or more frequent periods.

Can fibroids cause bleeding between periods?

Yes. Bleeding or spotting between periods can occur with fibroids and should be discussed with a doctor, particularly if it is new or persistent.

Can fibroids stop menstruation?

Fibroids are much more commonly associated with heavy or prolonged bleeding than with periods stopping altogether. If your periods stop unexpectedly, other causes should also be investigated.

Are fibroids dangerous?

Fibroids are benign, meaning they are not cancer. They can still cause significant problems such as heavy bleeding, anaemia, pain or pressure and occasionally reproductive complications.

Can fibroids go away on their own?

Fibroid size can change over time. They often shrink after menopause when hormone levels fall, while some smaller fibroids may also shrink before menopause.

Do fibroids affect pregnancy?

They can, depending on their size and location. Fibroids may sometimes contribute to infertility, miscarriage or pregnancy complications, but many people with fibroids can still become pregnant and have healthy pregnancies.