Are Fibroids a Cause of Infertility?

Not all fibroids, seen in 3 out of 1 women, cause infertility and do not require surgery.” Which fibroids are dangerous and can cause infertility? Which fibroids need to be removed before getting pregnant? such as… Gynecology, Obstetrics and IVF Specialist Prof. Dr. Deniz Ulaş announced. What is myoma? What Are the Types of Fibroids? Do Fibroids Cause Infertility? Which Fibroids Should Be Operated?

What is myoma?

Fibroids can be defined as the overgrowth of the muscle layer of the uterus. Although it is not fully understood why fibroids occur, genetic predisposition and estrogen are one of the most important mechanisms. Fibroids are more common in those with a family history of fibroids. Emphasizing that fibroids are an estrogen-dependent disease, Prof. Dr. Deniz Ulaş stated that fibroids enlarge in cases of increased estrogen, such as pregnancy, and shrink in menopause.

What Are the Types of Fibroids?

Fibroids are divided into 3 groups according to their location. Intramural fibroids, submucous fibroids and subserous fibroids.

Intramural fibroid is the definition given to fibroids located in the muscle layer of the uterus, that is, the myometrium. Intramural fibroids may cause symptoms such as menstrual irregularity and excessive menstrual bleeding.

Submucous fibroids are fibroids that arise from the inner wall of the uterus. Submucous fibroids grow into the cavity. Submucous fibroids may not cause symptoms or may cause menstrual irregularity, non-menstrual bleeding, heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding.

Subserous fibroids are fibroids that arise from the outer layer of the uterus. Subserous fibroids do not usually cause menstrual irregularity. If it reaches large sizes, it gives symptoms by pressing on the neighboring organs.

Do Fibroids Cause Infertility?

For a long time it was believed that fibroids do not cause infertility, but recent studies have shown that fibroids associated with the uterine wall can cause infertility. prof. Dr. Deniz Ulaş underlined that especially large intramural fibroids that compress the endometrium, where the baby will settle, and submucous fibroids, regardless of size, can cause both infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage and premature birth.

Which Fibroids Should Be Operated?

Emphasizing that the uterine wall must be examined in detail in a woman who is planning a pregnancy or who is going to start infertility treatment, Prof. Dr. Deniz Ulaş stated that fibroids should be surgically removed in the following cases. There is no need to take it beforehand.

prof. Dr. Deniz Ulaş said, "If fibroid symptoms such as bleeding and groin pain in a woman who is not planning a child impair the quality of life of the woman and there is no response to drug treatment, or if rapid growth is detected in the fibroid in a short time, the fibroids should be surgically removed to rule out the risk of cancer."

As a result, some types of fibroids have a negative effect on pregnancy. For this reason, even if a woman who is planning to become pregnant does not have any complaints, it would be the best approach to be examined for fibroids and to become pregnant after surgery if she has fibroids that require surgery.