At FERTY9 Fertility Centre, we believe in empowering our patients with clear and comprehensive information. This page will clear your doubts through everything you need to know about uterine fibroids, a common condition that can sometimes impact your fertility. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, providing expert care and personalized treatment options to help you achieve your dream of parenthood.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive system, occurring in 20–30% of females, most often in women aged 30–50. While many women with fibroids have no symptoms and experience no issues with fertility, for some, the size and location of fibroids can interfere with their ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term.
Types of Uterine Fibroids
- Intramural Fibroids: These are the most common type and grow within the muscular wall of the uterus.
- Subserosal Fibroids: These fibroids grow on the outside of the uterus. They are less likely to affect your menstrual flow but can cause pressure on surrounding organs like the bladder or bowel.
- Submucosal Fibroids: These fibroids grow just underneath the lining of the uterine cavity. Even small submucosal fibroids can cause heavy menstrual bleeding and may impact fertility by interfering with the implantation of an embryo.
- Pedunculated Fibroids: These fibroids are attached to the uterus by a stalk-like stem. They can grow either outside the uterus or within the uterine cavity.
What Causes Uterine Fibroids?
What Are the Risk Factors for Uterine Fibroids?
- Age: Fibroids are most common in women in their 30s and 40s.
- Family History: If your mother or sister had fibroids, you have a higher chance of developing them.
- Ethnic Origin: Women of African-Caribbean descent are more likely to develop fibroids.
- Lifestyle: Being overweight or obese can increase your risk.
- Diet: A diet high in red meat and low in green vegetables may be a contributing factor.
What Are the Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids?
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Painful periods
- Bleeding between periods
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the lower abdomen
- Frequent urination or difficulty emptying your bladder
- Constipation
- Backache or leg pains
- Pain during intercourse
For those trying to conceive, fibroids can sometimes lead to:
- Difficulty getting pregnant (infertility)
- An increased risk of miscarriage
How Are Uterine Fibroids Diagnosed?
- Pelvic Exam: Your doctor may be able to feel the fibroids during a routine pelvic exam.
- Ultrasound Scan: This is the most common imaging test used to confirm the presence of fibroids. It uses sound waves to create a picture of your uterus and can show the size and location of any fibroids.
- Other Imaging Tests: In some cases, a more detailed imaging test like a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan may be used to get a clearer picture of the fibroids, especially if you are planning for fertility treatment.
Uterine Fibroids Treatment
For women with fibroids who are trying to conceive, our approach is focused on preserving and enhancing fertility. Treatment options may include:
- Watchful Waiting: If your fibroids are small and not causing any symptoms or fertility issues, we may recommend monitoring them without immediate treatment.
- Medications: While some medications can help manage symptoms like heavy bleeding, they are not a permanent solution and are often not suitable for women trying to conceive.
- Myomectomy: This is a surgical procedure to remove fibroids while leaving the uterus intact. It is the preferred treatment for women with fibroids who wish to become pregnant. A myomectomy can be performed in several ways:
- Hysteroscopic Myomectomy: This is a minimally invasive procedure where the fibroids are removed through the vagina and cervix, with no incisions. It is ideal for submucosal fibroids.
- Laparoscopic Myomectomy: This involves small incisions in the abdomen to remove the fibroids. It is a good option for intramural and subserosal fibroids.
- Abdominal Myomectomy: This is a traditional open surgery that may be necessary for very large or multiple fibroids.
Our experienced team at FERTY9 will discuss all the suitable options with you and create a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs and help you on your path to parenthood. If you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids or are concerned they may be affecting your fertility, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our fertility specialists.
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