What is the most common symptom experienced by patients with leiomyomas (fibroids)?

Patients with leiomyomas, commonly known as fibroids, frequently experience menorrhagia, which refers to heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. This symptom arises because fibroids can disrupt the normal structure and function of the endometrium and surrounding blood vessels. The presence of these noncancerous tumors can lead to an increased surface area for menstrual bleeding and affect the uterine contractility, thus contributing to heavier menstrual flows.

In many cases, the severity of menorrhagia can significantly impact a patient's quality of life, leading to fatigue and anemia due to blood loss. While other symptoms such as abdominal pain, frequent urination, and dysmenorrhea can occur in fibroid patients, menorrhagia is the symptom most commonly reported and is often one of the primary reasons patients seek medical attention for management of fibroids.