Can Fibroids Pass During My Period?

Understanding Uterine Fibroids

Before we discuss if fibroids can pass, let’s quickly review what they are. Fibroids are common, and many women have them without even knowing. They can be as small as a seed or as large as a grapefruit. Their size and location determine the symptoms you might experience.

There are a few main types of fibroids, based on where they grow:

• Intramural fibroids: These grow inside the muscular wall of the uterus. They are the most common type.
• Submucosal fibroids: These fibroids grow just under the uterine lining and can push into the uterine cavity. They often cause heavy bleeding and problems with fertility.
• Subserosal fibroids: These grow on the outside of the uterus. They usually cause pressure or pain rather than bleeding issues.
• Pedunculated fibroids: This is a special type of subserosal or submucosal fibroid that grows on a stalk, making it look a bit like a mushroom.

The symptoms caused by fibroids often include heavy menstrual bleeding, long periods, pelvic pain or pressure, frequent urination, and backaches. The type and severity of your symptoms depend on the fibroid’s location, size, and number.

Can a Fibroid Really Pass During a Period?

The short answer is yes, but it is extremely rare. Most fibroids are embedded within the uterine wall and cannot simply fall out. However, under specific circumstances, a certain type of fibroid can be expelled from the body.

The type most likely to pass is a pedunculated submucosal fibroid. Remember, this fibroid is attached to the inside of the uterus by a thin stalk. If that stalk twists or detaches, the fibroid can be pushed out of the uterus by contractions, similar to how the body pushes out a baby during childbirth. This process is called fibroid expulsion.

It’s important to know the difference between passing fibroid tissue and passing large blood clots. During heavy periods, it is common to pass dark, jelly-like blood clots. These are made of blood and tissue from your uterine lining. A piece of fibroid tissue, on the other hand, will feel different. It is usually firmer, more solid, and may have a whitish or pinkish appearance. It looks more like a piece of solid tissue than a clot.

What Does It Feel Like to Pass a Fibroid?

If a fibroid does pass, it is usually not a quiet event. The body has to work hard to push it out. The signs and feelings can be intense and alarming.

You might experience:

• Severe Cramping: The uterine contractions needed to expel a fibroid are much stronger than typical menstrual cramps. The pain can be sharp, intense, and may feel like labour pains.
• Very Heavy Bleeding: As the fibroid detaches and passes, it can cause bleeding that is much heavier than your normal period. You might soak through pads or tampons very quickly.
• Passing Solid Tissue: You might see and feel a solid piece of tissue pass out of your vagina. It could be mixed with large blood clots.
• Feeling Faint or Dizzy: Significant blood loss can lead to symptoms of anaemia, such as fatigue, dizziness, or lightheadedness.

This experience can be very painful and frightening. It is not something you should ignore or try to manage on your own at home.

Why Would a Fibroid Pass?

Several factors can cause a fibroid to detach and pass from the body. These situations create the right conditions for the fibroid to be expelled.

One major reason is hormonal changes. As women approach menopause, their hormone levels, especially oestrogen, begin to decline. Since fibroids need oestrogen to grow, this change can cause them to shrink. Sometimes, this shrinkage can lead to the fibroid detaching from the uterine wall, especially if it is a pedunculated type.

Medical treatments can also cause a fibroid to pass. A procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) cuts off the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink and die. In some cases, the dead fibroid tissue, particularly if it’s a submucosal fibroid, can then be passed out of the body weeks or months after the procedure.

Finally, the stalk of a pedunculated fibroid can twist on its own. This twisting action cuts off its blood supply, causing the fibroid to detach. The uterus then naturally tries to expel it through contractions.

When You Should See a Doctor?

Passing a fibroid is a serious medical event. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should seek medical advice immediately.

It is crucial to see a doctor if you have:

• Excessive Bleeding: If you are soaking through more than one pad or tampon an hour for several hours.
• Severe Pain: If you have intense cramping that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medicine.
• Passing Tissue: If you think you have passed a piece of tissue that looks like a fibroid.

A doctor needs to confirm what is happening. An incomplete expulsion, where only part of the fibroid passes, can lead to serious complications like a severe infection or continued heavy bleeding. A healthcare provider at a trusted facility like Mamata Fertility Hospital in Hyderabad can perform an examination and possibly an ultrasound to see what is going on inside your uterus.

Based on the diagnosis, your doctor will discuss treatment options. If you have symptomatic fibroids, you don’t have to just live with the discomfort. Treatments can range from medications that manage symptoms to procedures that remove or shrink the fibroids. A Fertility Specialist in Hyderabad can also help if fibroids are affecting your ability to get pregnant.

Conclusion

So, can fibroids pass during your period? Yes, it is possible, but it is a very rare event that usually only happens with a specific type of fibroid. The process is often painful and involves heavy bleeding, so it’s not something to take lightly.

If you have fibroids and are worried about your symptoms, the most important step is to talk to a healthcare provider. Getting a proper evaluation at a clinic such as Mamata Fertility Hospital in Hyderabad will give you a clear diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan. With the right care, you can manage your fibroid symptoms and protect your health.