Can Fibroids Cause You To Miss A Period and Fibroids: What to Know

September 13, 2025

Can Fibroids Cause You To Miss A Period and Fibroids: What to Know

Uterine fibroids are common, noncancerous growths of the uterus. By age 50, most women will develop them at some point in their lives. Fibroids can affect menstrual bleeding, fertility plans, and day-to-day comfort. If you’ve recently missed a period, you might wonder: can fibroids be the reason? Here’s what the evidence and leading medical organizations say, plus how to get the right evaluation and care.

Quick refresher: What are fibroids?

Fibroids (leiomyomas) are benign tumors arising from the muscular wall of the uterus. They can be located within the uterine wall (intramural), bulge into the cavity (submucosal), or project outward on the surface (subserosal). Size ranges from tiny seedlings to masses that enlarge the uterus. Symptoms vary by size, number, and location, but commonly include heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain, urinary frequency, constipation, and, less often, reproductive challenges.

Can fibroids cause you to miss a period?

Short answer: It’s uncommon for fibroids to cause missed periods (amenorrhea). Fibroids most often cause more bleeding—heavier flow, longer periods, and bleeding between periods. That said, a few scenarios link fibroids to missed or irregular cycles:

Uterine cavity distortion: Large or submucosal fibroids can disrupt the endometrial lining. While this typically leads to heavier bleeding, it can occasionally alter cycle regularity.
Outflow obstruction (rare): A fibroid in or near the cervix could block menstrual blood, leading to cramping and a sense of “missed” outward bleeding (a condition called cryptomenorrhea). This is uncommon and usually painful.
Treatment-related amenorrhea: Some therapies used for fibroid management—such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or newer oral GnRH antagonists with add-back therapy—can intentionally lighten or stop periods while you’re taking them.

In practice, if your period stops, clinicians first consider more common causes before attributing amenorrhea to fibroids.

Other common reasons for a missed period

Pregnancy: The most frequent cause of a missed period in reproductive-age women.
Perimenopause or menopause: Hormonal shifts can make cycles irregular or stop altogether.
Hormonal contraception or IUDs: Some methods (for example, the levonorgestrel IUD) can significantly lighten or suppress periods.
Thyroid disorders or elevated prolactin: Endocrine issues commonly disrupt cycles.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Irregular or infrequent periods are a hallmark.
Stress, weight changes, intense exercise, or illness: These can temporarily alter hormonal signaling.
Breastfeeding: Prolactin suppresses ovulation and periods in many women.

When to test and when to call your clinician

Take a home pregnancy test if you’re sexually active and miss a period.
Contact a clinician if you miss three periods in a row, or your cycle becomes very irregular without a clear reason.
Seek care promptly for severe pelvic pain, fever, dizziness, fainting, or soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for more than two hours.
Watch for signs of anemia from heavy bleeding (fatigue, shortness of breath, paleness, headaches).

How clinicians evaluate missed periods with suspected fibroids

Your visit may include:

History and physical exam focused on bleeding patterns, pain, medications, contraception, and pregnancy risk.
Laboratory tests such as a pregnancy test, complete blood count (if heavy bleeding), and targeted tests (e.g., thyroid-stimulating hormone or prolactin) when indicated.
Pelvic ultrasound (usually transvaginal) to confirm and map fibroids and assess the uterine lining. Saline infusion sonohysterography or MRI may be used for detailed surgical planning or to clarify submucosal fibroids.

Treatment options for fibroid-related symptoms

Management depends on symptoms, fibroid size and location, your age, and your goals for fertility. If you’re mainly concerned about missed periods, your clinician will first determine whether fibroids are the true cause or whether another condition is responsible.

Watchful waiting

Appropriate when symptoms are minimal. Many fibroids shrink after menopause as estrogen levels decline.

Medications

NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) for cramps; modest impact on bleeding.
Tranexamic acid taken during menses to reduce heavy bleeding (not a contraceptive).
Hormonal contraceptives (pills, patch, ring) and the levonorgestrel IUD can regulate cycles and reduce bleeding; some users experience very light or absent periods.
GnRH agonists (e.g., leuprolide) temporarily shrink fibroids and often stop periods; typically used short term due to hypoestrogenic side effects.
Oral GnRH antagonists with add-back therapy are FDA-approved to treat heavy menstrual bleeding associated with fibroids. These combinations (e.g., elagolix-estradiol-norethindrone acetate; relugolix-estradiol-norethindrone acetate) reduce bleeding and may induce light or absent periods during treatment. Discuss benefits, side effects, and time limits with your clinician.

Uterus-sparing procedures

Myomectomy removes fibroids and preserves the uterus. Approaches include hysteroscopic (for submucosal fibroids), laparoscopic/robotic, or open surgery.
Uterine artery embolization (UAE/UFE) shrinks fibroids by cutting off blood supply; improves bleeding and pressure symptoms. Not ideal for everyone planning pregnancy; discuss risks and benefits.
Radiofrequency ablation (laparoscopic or transcervical) and MRI-guided focused ultrasound may reduce fibroid volume and bleeding in selected cases.

Definitive surgery

Hysterectomy removes the uterus and eliminates fibroids and menstrual bleeding. Consider when symptoms are severe, fertility is not desired, and other options are unsuitable.

Fertility and family-planning considerations

Many people with fibroids conceive and carry healthy pregnancies. Submucosal fibroids are most associated with altered bleeding and fertility challenges; removing them can improve outcomes in some cases. If you’re planning pregnancy, ask about options that minimize risks to the uterine cavity and discuss the timing of conception after treatment.

Bottom line

Fibroids are far more likely to cause heavy or prolonged periods than to stop them. If you’ve missed a period, rule out pregnancy and consider other common causes like hormonal contraception effects, perimenopause, thyroid issues, or PCOS. Because fibroids and their treatments can influence bleeding patterns, it’s reasonable to check in with a clinician—especially if you also have pelvic pressure, heavy bleeding, or anemia. With accurate diagnosis and a tailored plan, most people find effective relief.

Trusted sources and further reading

National Institutes of Health (NIH), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): Uterine Fibroids overview.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): Uterine Fibroids patient FAQ and practice guidance.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Approvals and safety information for therapies that treat heavy menstrual bleeding due to uterine fibroids (e.g., elagolix with add-back therapy; relugolix combination therapy).
U.S. Office on Women’s Health (OWH), HHS: Uterine fibroids—symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Iron-deficiency anemia—signs and symptoms related to heavy menstrual bleeding.