Uterine fibroids are benign growths that typically form within or on the uterus. Up to 80% of women have fibroids, and if you’re among them, you might be wondering about their potential impact on your fertility.
When it comes to your reproductive health, trust the expert OBGYNs at Florida Woman Care of Jacksonville. Our team, led by Daniel McDyer, MD, and Julian Stephen Suhrer, MD, offers personalized care, helping you navigate the path to parenthood and providing solutions for any concerns that may arise along the way.
Thinking about starting or expanding your family? Continue reading to discover how fibroids may influence your ability to conceive, and what you can do about it.
Uterine fibroids, sometimes referred to as leiomyomas, are noncancerous tumors made of muscle and fibrous tissue. For some women, fibroids cause no symptoms. Others may experience:
The exact cause of fibroids isn’t clear, but certain factors contribute to their development. These include a genetic predisposition to fibroids, being overweight or obese, and starting your period at an early age. They’re more common in women ages 30-40, especially those who have not been pregnant before.
In rare cases, a fibroid can change and become cancerous.
Most women with fibroids have no issues getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term. However, the size and location of the growth can sometimes create challenges.
Fibroids can grow within the uterine wall (intramural fibroids), on the outside surface (subserosal), or they may push into the uterine cavity (submucosal). Less often, they may form on the cervix or other pelvic organs.
Depending on their placement, some fibroids can interfere with conception and pregnancy. For instance, submucosal fibroids can alter the shape of the uterus, making it difficult for an embryo to implant or grow. Cervical fibroids may affect the sperm’s ability to reach the egg.
Larger growths — particularly intramural ones — may reduce blood flow to the uterine lining, impacting the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the embryo. While the majority of pregnancies go smoothly, fibroids can increase the risk of certain complications, such as preterm birth, placental abruption, or miscarriage.
If you’re worried about fibroids causing infertility, we perform a comprehensive examination to determine their size, location, and potential impact on your reproductive health. This process may include a pelvic exam and/or ultrasound imaging.
Depending on our findings, we may recommend a procedure such as myomectomy, myolysis, or radiofrequency ablation to remove or destroy the fibroid, keeping your uterus intact for future pregnancies. Fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) can also be effective.
Small fibroids that don’t interfere with your ability to conceive and aren’t causing symptoms like pain or anemia from heavy periods usually do not require any treatment.
Dr. McDyer and Dr.Suhrer work with you to find solutions that fit your needs at every stage of your life, whether you’re considering pregnancy or not. Contact Florida Woman Care of Jacksonville to book an appointment to learn how to boost your fertility.
