Fibroids May Influence Fertility, According to Research

Researchers, over the past decade, have investigated various factors that could influence fertility in females.(1) Uterine fibroids, or leiomyomas, could cause fertility reduction. These benign tumors of the myometrium develop in or around the uterus. Prevalence of fibroids ranges between 4.5% to 68.6% in women, with primary risk factors including age and ethnicity. (1)

Uterine Fibroids and Fertility

Uterine fibroids are benign, smooth tumors of the uterus, diverse in content and character. Seven out of ten women have fibroids by the time they reach menopause. Fibroids vary in size, location, and have varied clinical symptoms. (2)

While you might not experience any symptoms, other sufferers could experience painful periods (dysmenorrhea), or abnormal periods (hypermenorrhea). (2)

Severity and symptoms could vary depending on the size and location of the fibroids. The most common presentation of symptoms includes heavy periods, which often lead to anemia, painful periods, and extreme fatigue. (2) Other common fibroid symptoms include pelvic pressure and pain, lower backache and painful intercourse. When fibroids grow extremely large, they put pressure on the bladder or bowel, causing frequent urination or constipation. Uterine fibroids could also be associated with reproductive challenges, such as recurrent miscarriages and infertility. (2)

Why Do Fibroids Cause Infertility?

The presence of fibroids in infertile females (3) could be the cause of infertility. (3) The reason for this is that they could obstruct the fallopian tubes and impede gamete transportation (3)

The distortion of the endometrial cavity causes abnormal endometrial receptivity and altered endometrial development. (3) Whether fibroids are the cause of infertility is debatable because of a lack of conclusive studies.(3) Authors of some studies found a significant discrepancy in the pregnancy rate for infertile women (11% with fibroids versus 25% without fibroids). (3) The removal of fibroids increased the pregnancy rate from 25% to 45% (3) Therefore, this study highlighted the fact that fibroids do adversely affect fertility. (3)

Removal of Fibroids for Better Fertility Outcomes

Before you undergo any possible surgical treatment, you will need to gather the necessary information into all underlying mechanisms of infertility in relation to fibroids. (1)

Your doctor will perform a thorough preoperative assessment for the best treatment options. A precise diagnosis will determine whether a laparoscopic myomectomy or a hysteroscopic resection is viable. Your doctor will also decide whether a laparotomy is required for large or many fibroids. (2)

The effect of fibroid surgery will benefit patients by offering fertility sparing myomectomy. (1)

Each approach has its own indicator. (2) Fibroids are often difficult to resect and might need a second round of treatment. This is especially the case if they are larger than 3cm. (2)

In Conclusion

Uterine fibroids can affect your chances of falling pregnant - they can prove problematic in sperm and egg fertilizing, or they can affect the implantation of an embryo. (4)

They can also affect the continuation of a pregnancy, or the growth and position of the baby. (4) Your doctor will devise the best plan based on your unique fibroid history and fertility journey. Your doctor will recommend the right course of action. (4)

Sources

• Infertility in patients with uterine fibroids: a debate about the hypothetical mechanisms | Human Reproduction | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
• Uterine Fibroids and Infertility - PMC (nih.gov)
• The Impact and Management of Fibroids for Fertility: an evidence-based approach - PMC (nih.gov)
• Fibroids and Fertility patient education fact sheet | ReproductiveFacts.org