What is a common cause of heavy uterine bleeding in women with uterine fibroids?

Heavy uterine bleeding in women with uterine fibroids is often linked to hormonal imbalances. Uterine fibroids, which are benign tumors of the uterus, can disrupt normal hormonal regulation. They are particularly sensitive to estrogen and progesterone, which play crucial roles in the menstrual cycle and uterine function. An increase in estrogen levels can stimulate the growth of fibroids, leading to excessive bleeding during menstruation. The fibroids can also alter the endometrium, the tissue lining the uterus, contributing to heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding.

This pathophysiological relationship underscores why hormonal imbalances are a common cause of heavy bleeding in women affected by fibroids, as the alteration in hormonal levels can directly influence the size and behavior of these growths. In contrast, while uterine atony, genital tract trauma, and ovarian cysts may also cause bleeding, they are less directly associated with the heavy bleeding typically seen with fibroids. Uterine atony relates more to insufficient uterine muscle tone, often occurring postpartum, rather than fibroid presence. Genital tract trauma tends to be situational and not chronic, while ovarian cysts primarily affect the ovaries rather than causing changes in uterine bleeding patterns directly associated with fibroids.