If you think you are having fertility issues, you should look for these common signs of fibroids:
- Heavy and/or prolonged bleeding between/during periods
- Anemia (fatigue can be an indicator)
- Painful intercourse
- Frequent urination
- Constipation, bloating
- Pelvic and lower back pain
- More than usual menstrual cramping
- Swelling of the stomach
So, Can Fibroids Cause Infertility?
The vast majority of women with fibroids are able to get pregnant and deliver a healthy baby. Yes, it is possible fibroids can impact fertility, it is not common. And, infertility due to fibroids is rarely permanent. But it may be a problem. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that form in your uterus.
Also known as myomas or leiomyomas, fibroids vary in shape, size, and location. Some may have one fibroid, others have many. There are also different types of fibroids, based on where they’re found.
The location of the fibroid is what determines infertility. The locations are:
- Subserosal: In the outer wall of the uterus
- Intramural: In the muscular layers of the uterine wall
- Submucosal: In the uterine cavity
How?
Many women who have uterine fibroids can become pregnant. Others may face difficulty. Infertility due to fibroids depends on the location of the fibroids. For example, submucosal fibroids can disrupt implantation and embryo growth. This can lead to infertility or pregnancy complications. Other ways fibroids can lead to infertility:
- Changes in the shape of your cervix. This allows less sperm to enter.
- Changes in the shape of the uterus. It can block movement of sperm or an embryo.
- Fallopian tube blockage
- Impact of the size of the uterine cavity lining
- Reduction in blood flow to the uterine cavity. This won’t allow an embryo to implant.
Can Fibroid Removal Cause Infertility?
Can treating fibroids affect fertility. Many women are told that a hysterectomy
–– the surgical removal of the uterus
–– is the only treatment option.
A hysterectomy results in permanent infertility. Therefore, it is not a good option for women wanting to get pregnant. But there is a better treatment option to relieve fibroid symptoms, and allow fertility to be preserved.
Fibroid Tumors Infertility Treatment
Women should not have to choose between fertility or treating painful fibroid symptoms. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical, outpatient procedure to shrink fibroids. This alleviates the unpleasant symptoms. UFE can treat fibroids that may be affecting fertility.
And UFE takes only 30–45 minutes. It is performed as an outpatient procedure and involves less risk than traditional fibroid surgery. You can go home the same day, resuming normal activities within one to two weeks.
