Cramping and Acute Fibroid Pain
If you are diagnosed with uterine fibroids and are experiencing cramping and acute fibroid pain, it could be due to fibroid degeneration.
What is fibroid degeneration, you ask?
Fibroid degeneration is a process that occurs when fibroids start to die off and break down.
And, why would this happen?
Fibroid degeneration is due to uterine fibroids being unable to get the steady supply of blood and nutrients that they need in order to survive. Degeneration is commonly seen in large fibroids as they need more blood than smaller fibroids.
As a result of not having enough blood and nutrients, fibroids will begin to degenerate, and thereby shrink down to a size that the current blood supply can support.
So it’s that a good thing? Don’t we want our fibroids to shrink?
Yes, however, when this happens, it is not permanent.
In fact, it is likely that the fibroid will re-grow and expand, and the whole process of growth and degeneration will begin again. And, with that, so will the experience of painful cramping and other symptoms such as:
Acute stabbing pain — This is perhaps the most common symptom of fibroid degeneration and includes localized sharp and stabbing pains in the abdomen. The stabbing pains are caused by a release of chemicals from the fibroids as the cells die and are accompanied by swelling.
Fever — As a result of fibroid degeneration, many women experience a low-grade fever, which is defined as a body temperature between 100.4 and 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bleeding — In rare cases, fibroid degeneration may cause hemorrhaging or bleeding. This can occur during your normal menstrual cycle or between periods and is a telltale sign of fibroids.
Chronic pain — Lasting pelvic pain and other chronic pain that isn’t too severe but never seems to go away is also a sign of fibroid degeneration.
The pain caused by uterine fibroid degeneration can last anywhere from just a few days to several weeks. Though some of the pain can be treated with over-the-counter pain medicine, these medications are not a permanent solution and can come with risks and complications of their own.
In our next article, we will take a further look at fibroid degeneration, and also dive into some of the treatment options available for those suffering from this type of pain.
