Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are growths that form within the uterus and are made up of muscle cells and other tissues. They are often referred to as tumors, but they are usually not cancerous, and can range from the size of a pea to the size of a grapefruit or larger. Fibroids are very common during the childbearing years, and it's estimated that 1 in 5 women over the age of 35 have them. Medical experts and researchers are not sure what causes fibroids, but they are likely the result of several factors interacting together, such as hormonal levels, genetics, and environmental factors.

Symptoms Caused by Fibroids

Fibroids don't seem to directly cause fertility problems. However, depending on where the fibroid is located, it can interfere with sperm reaching the egg, prevent implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus, or block a fallopian tube.

Oftentimes, fibroids cause no symptoms. Some of the symptoms that women with fibroids may experience include:

• Early onset of labor during pregnancy or multiple miscarriages
• A full feeling in the pelvic area
• Frequent urination or urinary incontinence
• Constipation
• Pain in the lower back or legs
• Prolonged menstrual periods, or pain or heavy bleeding during periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Pain during sex

Fibroids rarely require treatment, but if they are suspected to be the cause of infertility, or if a woman is experiencing uncomfortable symptoms, there are treatments available to shrink or remove them.

Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids

Your doctor can perform infertility tests to determine if you have fibroids. These tests may include an ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, and CAT scan (CT). In some cases, surgical procedures, in which a small tube with a camera is inserted through the abdomen into the uterus (laparoscopy), or inserted directly into the uterus through the vagina (hysteroscopy), may be necessary to confirm the existence of fibroids.

Treatments for Uterine Fibroids

There are several treatments available to treat uterine fibroids. However, some make it difficult or impossible to become pregnant afterwards, so it is important to let your doctor know of your plans to have children in the future.

• Medications - Treatments for mild symptoms due to fibroids include gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa), anti-hormonal drugs, and oral contraceptives.
• Myomectomy - This surgical procedure removes the fibroids without removing healthy uterine tissue.
• Hysterectomy - A hysterectomy surgically removes the uterus and is considered a cure for fibroids. However, it is not recommended for women who want to have children.
• Endometrial Ablation - This procedure is used to stop heavy bleeding by using heat to destroy the lining of the uterus. It is not recommended for women who still want to become pregnant.
• Myloysis - This is a laparoscopic procedure in which an electric current is used to destroy the blood vessels that feed the fibroids, thus shrinking and/or eliminating them.
• Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) - The UFE procedure shrinks a fibroid by clotting the artery that feeds it. UFE may negatively affect fertility.
• Focused Ultrasound -During focused ultrasound, doctors use high-frequency sound waves, guided by MRI, to target and destroy fibroids while preserving the uterus. It is approved by the FDA as a non-invasive treatment for fibroids.

Contact a Fertility Doctor in Your Area

It is important to have your fertility problems diagnosed by a fertility specialist if you and your partner are having trouble conceiving. You can find a fertility doctor in your area through DocShop's online directory.