FIBROIDS AND INFERTILITY

A uterine fibroid diagnosis can cause concerns and questions. One of which may be, “what are they?” Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas, are benign tumors that develop on the interior or exterior of the muscular uterine wall. Their size ranges from barely perceptible to the size of a melon. Leiomyomas may grow singularly or in clusters. The size and location of fibroids determine how they will affect pregnancy. Our fibroid specialists can determine if your uterine leiomyomas are preventing conception. The three most common types of fibroids are:

Subserosal – Located on the outer wall of the uterus and can be attached by a stalk, called pedunculated

Intramural – Develop within the muscular layers of the uterine wall

Submucosal – Grows in the uterine cavity and can also have a stalk

Can Fibroids Cause Infertility?

If you are concerned about family planning, you may wonder if fibroids can interfere with conception. Approximately five to ten percent of women experiencing issues with fertility have fibroids. There are multiple ways uterine fibroids can reduce fertility. The shape of the cervix can be altered by fibroids growing near it. A misshapen cervix will decrease the amount of sperm successfully entering the uterus. Fibroids can also stretch and distort the uterus, impacting the landscape of the lining, which can interfere with sperm successfully fertilizing an egg or preventing a fertilized egg from implanting. The tumors can also block fallopian tubes.