A fibroid is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor that grows inside or on your uterus. Fibroids can negatively affect your fertility and the likelihood of achieving pregnancy. They commonly occur during the childbearing years and as much as 80% of women will have developed uterine fibroids by the time they are 50 years old.
AFFECTS ON PREGNANCY
Some women with fibroids may not experience any problems during pregnancy, whereas other may develop complications such as:
- Pain: This is the most common complication of fibroids and is seen in women with fibroids larger than 5 cm in diameter during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.
- Pre-term delivery: Significant pain caused by the fibroids may trigger uterine contractions and cause early delivery.
- Restriction of fetal growth: Full growth of the fetus may be prevented due to lack of space in the womb because of fibroids.
- Breaking away of the placenta: Fibroids may cause the placenta which transports nutrients from the mother to the fetus to break way from the uterine wall.
- Abnormal position of the fetus: The presence of fibroids may prevent the baby from positioning itself properly for a vaginal delivery and in such cases a C-section may be necessary.
- Miscarriage: According to research studies, the likelihood of suffering a miscarriage is doubled in women with uterine fibroids.
AFFECTS ON FERTILITY
Fibroids that grow inside the uterine cavity (submucosal fibroids) or ones that are quite large may affect fertility by:
- Changing the shape of the uterus making sperm entry and embryo movement difficult.
- Blocking fallopian tubes
- Decreasing blood flow to the uterine cavity
- Impacting the size of the uterine cavity lining
If you have fibroids, receiving treatment for the condition could help improve your chances of conceiving. Talk to your doctor or a fertility specialist near you for more information specific to your condition.
ReproMed fertility clinics are located throughout Dallas, Grapevine, McKinney, Rockwall and in Tyler, Texas, giving patients convenient access to experienced, knowledgeable, and compassionate reproductive health specialists. Contact us for an appointment today.