The Surprising Link Between Fibroids and Anemia: What You Need to Know
You’re exhausted all the time, but there might be more going on than just late bedtimes. Fibroids can increase your risk of anemia, and surprisingly, this combination is more common than you might think.
If you’re constantly tired, short of breath, or feeling run-down, you might assume stress or a busy schedule is to blame. But for many women, these symptoms could indicate something less obvious: the combination of uterine fibroids and anemia.
Dr. Nordine Gaugau regularly sees women struggling with symptoms caused by uterine fibroids and anemia. If you suspect this combination is behind your symptoms, you’re in the right place.
At The Fibroid Center at Image Guided Surgery in Clinton, Maryland, Dr. Gaugau and his team can identify the root cause of your symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about the fibroids-anemia connection and how treatment can help you feel better.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or on your uterus. They’re common and can vary widely in size, number, and location. While some fibroids cause no symptoms, others can significantly impact daily life.
They can increase your risk of iron-deficiency anemia.
Fibroids can lead to anemia during your menstrual cycle
The link between fibroids and anemia often comes down to heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Certain fibroids can cause periods longer, heavier, or more frequent than usual.
If you have a heavy period month after month, that excessive blood loss can deplete your body’s iron stores and lead to iron-deficiency anemia. When your body doesn’t have enough iron, it can’t produce adequate hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in your blood.
Fibroids can lead to anemia during pregnancy
Fibroids can also cause issues with anemia during pregnancy. Many women enter pregnancy with low iron stores due to years of heavy menstrual bleeding caused by fibroids.
Pregnancy itself significantly increases iron demands to support increased blood volume and fetal development. When iron reserves are already low, your body may struggle to keep up. That can lead to anemia during pregnancy, and it’s common.
Women with fibroids have a 78% higher chance of developing anemia during pregnancy.
Symptoms of anemia
Anemia can develop gradually, making symptoms easy to overlook at first. You might suspect anemia if you struggle with:
● Ongoing fatigue or weakness
● Shortness of breath with minimal activity
● Dizziness or lightheadedness
● Pale skin
● Headaches or difficulty concentrating
If you experience these symptoms alongside heavy periods, fibroids may be part of the picture. Don’t brush off symptoms of anemia. When hemoglobin levels drop too low, anemia can become serious and, in severe cases, life-threatening.
Keep in mind that these symptoms overlap with other conditions. For example, dietary triggers, lack of sleep, and even hormonal fluctuations can cause headaches. The best way to know for sure what’s causing your symptoms is to meet with Dr. Gaugau.
He typically orders blood tests to check your iron levels and imaging studies to identify fibroids.
Why this link is often missed
Many women are told that heavy periods are normal or simply part of aging. As a result, anemia caused by fibroids can go undiagnosed for years.
Treating anemia alone without addressing the fibroids often brings temporary improvement followed by recurring symptoms. For example, iron supplements may help restore iron levels, but they don’t stop ongoing blood loss.
We treat the cause, not just the symptoms
Treating fibroids can reduce heavy bleeding and allow your body to recover naturally. Minimally invasive, image-guided procedures like uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) can treat fibroids while preserving your uterus and avoiding surgery. It is the least invasive permanent solution.
Take fatigue seriously
If heavy periods leave you exhausted, don’t simply accept it. The connection between fibroids and anemia is real and, thankfully, treatable. Call 484-FIBROID or schedule a visit online with Dr. Gaugau today to learn more about how fibroid treatment can help.
References:
● https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(23)01310-8/fulltext
