Can uterine fibroids affect my chances of getting pregnant?

There are various different types of fibroids, not all of which will affect a woman’s chances of getting pregnant or her pregnancy in general. — Dr S. SELVA

A uterine fibroid is a benign or non-cancerous growth of the muscle portion of the uterus.

While common, they may cause pain and excessive bleeding, and concerns about fertility and pregnancy for some.

Mayo Clinic gynaecologic surgeon and fibroid specialist Dr Michelle Louie says it is important to know your treatment options and work with a specialist.

Fibroids can go undetected in many healthy pregnancies.

“But depending on their size or location, they may affect a person’s ability to get pregnant or stay pregnant or have a healthy pregnancy,” she says.

Fibroids are usually classified based on their location in the uterus, for instance.

“A submucosal fibroid is most likely to affect a future pregnancy or affect a person’s ability to get pregnant or conceive, whereas intramural fibroids, especially if they’re small, would probably have no effect on a future pregnancy or person’s ability to get pregnant,” she says.

An ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be ordered to assess treatment options.

“The traditional surgery that’s evidence-based for people who are wanting future pregnancy is a myomectomy.”

Dr Louie says fibroids may complicate pregnancy for some.

“Fibroid specialists may be very much able to guide them to the variety of treatment options that we have – both to allow treatment of their symptoms and to allow future childbearing if that’s one of their goals.” – By Deb Balzer/Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service