Let’s talk about Fibroids and Fertility

Uterine fibroids are typically found in or around the uterus. It’s like the abnormal growth or a kind of tumor that becomes quite large and causes severe abdominal pain and heavy periods.

Fibroids are common in women. Fibroids typically present as multiple tumors and in most cases fibroids cause no symptoms and do not require treatment, but in rare cases fibroids may be cancerous (about 1 in 1,000 of removed fibroids in women in their reproductive years show signs of cancer).

Most fibroids do not result in any symptoms, but in some cases there may be abnormal uterine bleeding when there are fibroids located near the lining of the uterus. Other women may have pain and cramping and may have pain with sexual intercourse or certain movement painful. When a fibroid is in front of the uterus, there may be pressure on

the bladder causing women to have increased urinary frequency and urgency. Fibroids may also be positioned in a way that will place pressure on other nearby pelvic organs such as the kidney.

How you identify fibroids?

Your physician will need your medical history and perform a pelvic exam to help diagnosis fibroids. During the pelvic exam your physician can access the shape and size of your uterus. Sometimes the physical examination is enough for a diagnosis, other times your physician may want to confirm the fibroids using an ultrasound. Some physicians may also perform sonohysterography, hysterosalpingogram, hysteroscopy, or laparoscopy to identify fibroids. These techniques use a variety of methods to help your physician learn more about the location and size of the fibroids.

Will having uterine fibroids make me infertile?

The exact effect that fibroids have on fertility is complex. However, fibroids may be a source of infertility and treatment of certain fibroids may improve fertility. Generally, fibroids that are entering the cavity of the uterus (submucosal) or pushing into the cavity (Intramural type III fibroids) are the ones most likely to cause fertility issues as well as miscarriages. Typically, when we consider the impact of uterine fibroids on fertility, we are more concerned about where the fibroid is rather then how big it may be or even how many there are.

Read this also: Common causes of Infertility

What makes it so complex?

Uterine fibroids are very common – affecting between 30% - 50% of the population. Also, infertility can have multiple causes. Therefore it isn’t always easy to say that fibroids are the source if infertility is present, particularly since many women with fibroids do get pregnant and have normal pregnancies.

Fibroids and infertility treatment

Evidence suggests that estrogren and progresterone may stimulate the growth of fibroids. So women going through fertility treatment that are given estrogen and already prone to fibroids will need to speak their physician about any increased risk factors they may experience. Larger fibroids may need to be removed prior to treatment. But in general, fibroids are low risk and something to just be monitored by your medical team.

Thanks to advancements in reproductive technology, a uterine tumor diagnosis doesn’t have to mean the end of your dreams of having a family. If you’ve been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and want to learn more about your fertility preservation options, we are here to help. You can call us on +91 9205268976 and you can also visit our Facebook page and website: https://www.motherslapivf.com/for more information to schedule a consultation with one of our fertility specialists and learn more.