Final answer:
Menorrhagia, or heavy menstrual bleeding, is a major symptom associated with uterine fibroids due to the fibroids causing the uterine lining to thicken and increasing the surface area from which bleeding can occur. Fibroids also disrupt uterine muscle contraction, augmenting menstrual blood flow. This condition can lead to anemia, particularly in individuals with a diet low in iron.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major symptom of uterine fibroids, which are benign tumors of the smooth muscle cells in the uterus, is often menorrhagia, or unusually heavy menstrual bleeding. This occurs because fibroids can alter the structure and function of the uterus. As the fibroids grow, they can cause the uterine lining to thicken and increase the surface area from which bleeding can occur during menstruation. Additionally, fibroids may disrupt the normal contraction of uterine muscles that typically helps to control bleeding during menstrual cycles. Heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to anemia, which is a common complication of untreated menorrhagia, especially in women who have a strict vegan diet, as they may already have a lower baseline level of certain nutrients like iron.