Why Do Uterine Fibroids Cause Painful Menstrual Cramps?

Fibroids in the muscle wall of the uterus can cause pain as a woman's uterus contracts to shed the urterine lining. In this video, Kevin Windom, MD, Sharecare Advisory Board member, explains how a fibroid might cause pain during menstruation.

Transcript

00:00

Some uterine fibroids can cause pain with your period. And the most common reason it will cause pain with your period is if the fibroid is in the muscle

00:07

wall of the uterus. If the fibroid is in the muscle wall of the uterus-- when you're on your menstrual cycle your uterus is contracting to push out the uterine lining,

00:15

and sometimes that contracting can cause significant pain. The analogy I always tell patients is just think if you have something in your bicep,

00:23

like a cyst and your bicep, it really hurts to do a curl. The same thing is if you have a fibroid inside a uterine cavity.

00:29

It's not uncommon to have significant amount of pelvic pressure and pain and cramps with your menstrual cycle.