Fibroids bleeding: 5 things I’ve learned along the way
- Esther Tran-Le
- Apr 13
- 4 min read
MyAdvo’s Founder & CEO shares her experience
Hi, I’m Esther Tran-Le, Founder & CEO of MyAdvo. Dealing with fibroids is just one part of my health story, but through it, I’ve learned the importance of self-advocacy and gained greater confidence in making my own healthcare decisions. How did I learn? By listening to my body, not being afraid to ask questions, and connecting with other women who’ve shared their experiences. Here are five key lessons I’ve learned along the way so far.
1. Heavy menstrual bleeding isn’t normal. It’s a red flag.
I learned early-on how often symptoms of uterine fibroids can be ignored or downplayed — including painful periods, bloating, and heavy bleeding. In addition to ignoring our own pain, women are often told by doctors that “everyone has painful periods” or “let’s wait and see.” But these symptoms can indicate fibroids, which are growths that develop in or on the muscular wall of the uterus. Fibroids bleeding was my first major sign that something wasn’t right. In fact, I was bleeding so much with my first fibroid that I became anemic.
Track your symptoms and advocate for tests, such as transvaginal ultrasounds, to help identify fibroids before they grow too large or cause more serious issues. Don’t be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right. Regular visits to the gynecologist as well as understanding what symptoms are “normal” versus concerning is key to managing your health. 25% of women will experience fibroid symptoms and up to 80% will have fibroids by age 50. Recognizing the signs early and being proactive about treatment can help prevent symptoms from becoming debilitating.
2. Fibroids don’t always have obvious symptoms: what to look for.
While some people experience heavy bleeding and painful periods from fibroids, others don’t. Fibroids can also grow silently without obvious symptoms. As a result, many women don’t realize they have fibroids until symptoms become severe, making regular check-ups vital for proactive care.
After undergoing a myomectomy in 2019 to remove my first fibroid, my heavy fibroids bleeding stopped, and I had been fibroid-free for about two years before my fertility specialist found a potential new fibroid. At the time, I had no symptoms. However, in the months that followed, I tracked my symptoms and noticed changes in my cycle — including longer periods and increased bleeding, which prompted me to ask my gynecologist for a transvaginal ultrasound.
During the ultrasound, we found two small fibroids. Since they weren’t interfering with my life at the time, I decided to wait before undergoing further treatment. My gynecologist recommended we continue to monitor their size along with my symptoms closely, so we can be aware if and when they start to grow or trigger issues that require us to act.
3. How fibroids can impact fertility and pregnancy.
Most people with uterine fibroids can get pregnant naturally and experience no issues during pregnancy. However, the location and size of fibroids makes a difference. For example, submucosal fibroids, which grow on the inner lining of the uterus and can protrude into the womb cavity, are known to reduce fertility. In my case, one of the two small fibroids we found on the ultrasound sits closer to my cervix and is potentially submucosal.
About 10-30% of women with fibroids experience pregnancy complications, including potential to miscarriage, preterm labor, placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage, and more. But, here’s the silver lining: fibroids surgery, such as a myomectomy, can improve fertility by removing the problematic fibroids. In my case, I’m working closely with my fertility specialist and my gynecologist to monitor my fibroids and make a plan for surgery closer to when I’m ready to start trying to conceive.
4. Fibroids grow at different rates: understanding fibroid growth.
The question “how fast do fibroids grow?” doesn’t have a simple answer, as fibroids tend to grow at different rates depending on various factors. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that fibroid growth can be unpredictable. A fibroid that starts out small can grow rapidly and cause serious symptoms — or it might not grow for years. For example, my first fibroid doubled in size in just one year, leading to heavy bleeding and a range of other symptoms, while my other two have remained around the same size for nearly two years.
Regular imaging, such as transvaginal ultrasounds or MRIs, help identify fibroid growth before symptoms become overwhelming. Fibroids surgery is often only necessary once symptoms interfere with your quality of life or if the fibroids start growing more rapidly.
5. Self-advocacy is empowering.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned through this journey is the power of self-advocacy. Self-advocacy can lead to more effective treatment and management of symptoms. I’ve had to learn how to discuss my pain threshold with different providers. I’ve learned how to push back on unnecessary tests, such as the saline sonogram, and advocate for alternative diagnostics like an MRI, which is less invasive and less painful.
I’ve learned that you can’t always rely on the medical system to tell you what’s best for you. At times, my doctors have disagreed on recommended treatment options, so I’ve relied on myself to make informed decisions about what’s best for me.
Ask questions, seek second opinions, connect with others who know what you’re going through. By staying informed, asking for help, and pushing for what you need, you gain the power to manage your health on your own terms.
Final thoughts
Fibroids can be overwhelming, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can make informed choices that will lead to better health outcomes. If you’re dealing with fibroids, don’t wait for the symptoms to get worse — be proactive. Regular check-ups, understanding your treatment options, and most importantly, advocating for yourself, can make all the difference in managing your condition and planning for a healthy future.
This is exactly why I founded MyAdvo: to make sure women don’t have to navigate this alone. Too many of us are left in the dark about our own health and forced to endure years of unnecessary suffering. Your pain is real. Your health matters. And you deserve better care.
Read more about fibroids in our Fibroids 101 guide and become a MyAdvo member to share your story and learn from other women who’ve been through it before.
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