How exactly do fibroids affect a woman's fertility?

Written by: Mr Mahantesh Karoshi
Published:
Edited by: Conor Lynch

Mr Mahantesh Karoshi, a well-regarded and highly accomplished consultant gynaecologist, is the latest esteemed UK-based medical professional to provide his expert insights in one of our informative articles. Today, we find out how fibroids are removed, and how exactly fibroids affect a woman’s fertility.

How are fibroids removed? Which surgical option is the best?

Women of reproductive age with symptomatic fibroids are typically offered fibroid removal surgery (myomectomy) rather than hysterectomy to preserve their fertility.

 

What are the associated risks of a myomectomy procedure?

The removal of fibroids can be associated with potentially extensive blood loss, a risk of further damage and weakening of the womb, and a risk of rupture of the womb during pregnancy.

 

Is six the magic number?

A recent data involving over 600 women who underwent fibroid removal surgery showed that patients with more than six fibroids removed were less likely to achieve pregnancy after myomectomy than those with six or fewer fibroids removed (22.9 versus 70.8 per cent).

 

Researchers found that women who have more than six fibroids removed may not benefit from fibroid removal operation to the same degree as those with six or fewer fibroids.

 

On average, how many fibroids need to be removed for a woman to improve her fertility chances?

The general consensus is that the fibroids which protrude into the womb cavity need removing, as they are associated with subfertility and implantation failure.

 

How exactly do fibroids affect a woman's fertility?

Fibroids affect women’s fertility in many different ways. If they are protruding into the womb cavity, they affect implantation. Also, the same types of fibroids lead to heavy periods, and, because of this, the fertilised egg may get flushed out along with the blood.

 

Also, fibroids are known to secrete certain chemicals (interleukins and cytokines) inside the womb cavity, which can also interfere with implantation and continuation of pregnancy.

 

If you are concerned about fibroids and how they might affect your pregnancy, make sure you book a consultation with Mr Mahantesh Karoshi today by heading on over to his Top Doctors profile.

By Mr Mahantesh Karoshi
Obstetrics & gynaecology

Mr Mahantesh Karoshi is a London-based women’s health expert and consultant gynaecologist, with a special interest in ovarian cysts, heavy menstrual bleeding, infertility, fibroids, and adenomyosis. He is currently one of the most highly-rated gynaecologists in London with a very good reputation amongst his patients and peers.

Mr Karoshi's work is recognised internationally, having volunteered in Ethiopia’s Gimbie Hospital, and later receiving the Bernhard Baron Travelling Fellowship from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists which led to his work in the University of Buenos Aires. Here he worked on the techniques needed to surgically manage morbidly adherent placental disorders - a serious condition that can occur in women with multiple caesarean sections.

He believes in an open doctor-patient relationship, being sure to include the patient and educating them so that they understand their condition better and they can be directly involved in their care and management at every stage. Aside from his clinical work, he is actively involved in research, which together with his experience, has given him the opportunity to publish the first stand-alone textbook on postpartum haemorrhage which was launched by HRH Princess Anne.

At the core of Mr Karoshi's practice is a high standard of professionalism where patients are involved in their treatment and where the latest techniques and advancements are used to provide an extremely high level of care.

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