How exactly do fibroids affect a woman's fertility?
Written by:
Obstetrician - gynaecologist
Published: 03/06/2022
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.