06/09/2026
๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป'๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐น๐ผ๐ด๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐๐๐ฒโT๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐น๐ฒ๐, ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐๐, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐น๐๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐น๐ผ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ง๐ผ๐ผ
When people think about uterine fibroids, they often think about heavy periods and menstrual cramps.
But fibroids can also contribute to musculoskeletal pain and pelvic floor dysfunction, which means symptoms may show up far beyond the uterus.
๐น Low Back Pain
Larger fibroids can create pressure within the pelvis and abdomen, contributing to low back pain. In some cases, fibroids may even irritate nearby nerves, leading to pain that radiates into the hips or legs.
๐น Pelvic Pressure and Pelvic Floor Symptoms
Fibroids can create a feeling of heaviness, pressure, or fullness in the pelvis. This increased pressure may contribute to urinary urgency, urinary frequency, constipation, difficulty emptying the bladder, and pelvic discomfort.
๐น Pain With In*******se
Depending on their size and location, fibroids may contribute to discomfort or pain during intimacy.
๐น Hip, Buttock, and Leg Symptoms
Some women report symptoms that mimic sciatica, including pain into the buttock or leg. While not the most common presentation, large fibroids can occasionally compress surrounding structures and nerves.
๐น Core Dysfunction
Persistent pelvic pain, abdominal pressure, and altered movement patterns can affect how the core and pelvic floor muscles function together, potentially contributing to muscle tension, weakness, or coordination issues.
As physical therapists, we often see women who have been treating "back pain" or "pelvic floor symptoms" without realizing that fibroids may be an underlying contributor.
If you're experiencing:
โ๏ธ Heavy menstrual bleeding
โ๏ธ Pelvic pressure or heaviness
โ๏ธ Low back, hip, or leg pain
โ๏ธ Urinary urgency or frequency
โ๏ธ Constipation
โ๏ธ Pain with in*******se
it may be worth discussing fibroid screening with your healthcare provider.
Your symptoms deserve a comprehensive evaluationโnot every case of back pain starts in the back.