Read on to learn more about uterine fibroids and pregnancy, including how fertility, pregnancy, and delivery may be affected.
Some types of uterine fibroids may affect fertility. Others may cause complications during pregnancy or delivery.
Uterine fibroids
- Submucosal fibroids: These fibroids grow into the uterine cavity.
- Intramural fibroids: These grow in the wall of the uterus.
- Subserosal fibroids: These grow on the outside of the uterus.
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However, fibroids are not a common cause of infertility. Because of this, your doctor will want to rule out more common causes before deciding to treat your fibroids to try to increase fertility.
Learn some frequently asked questions about uterine fibroids.
Uterine fibroids may also cause issues during pregnancy or delivery.
Problems during pregnancy
Fibroids can cause changes in the shape of your uterus, blood flow, and the fetus’s position. As a result, you may face risks such as:
- having the fetus in an
unusual position Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source inside your uterus - having the placenta break away from the uterus before you go into labor
- experiencing a loss of pregnancy
Problems during delivery
Uterine fibroids may also affect labor and delivery. You may:
- go into labor early
- have a breech birth
- need a cesarean delivery
- experience heavy bleeding after delivery
Learn more about 8 possible complications of fibroids.
The best way to manage fibroids before, during, and after pregnancy will vary from person to person. This will depend partly on fibroid size and location and if the condition affects your quality of life or pregnancy.
You might need to see a fertility specialist if you’re having trouble getting pregnant because of fibroids. You may also need to see an obstetrician specializing in high risk pregnancies because of potential fibroid problems during pregnancy.
If your uterine fibroids are not causing symptoms, your doctor
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage pain
- hormonal contraceptives to manage uterine bleeding
- gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, which decrease the production of hormones that may contribute to fibroid growth
- certain surgical procedures, including:
- endometrial ablation, which involves removing a layer of the endometrial tissue that lines the uterus
- uterine artery embolization, which lowers the supply of blood to the uterus and reduces bleeding
- myomectomy, a procedure that removes the fibroids while leaving the uterus intact
- hysterectomy, which removes part or all of the uterus
Some procedures can affect fertility, so talk with your doctor about your treatment options.
Learn 7 things to know about uterine fibroids.
Uterine fibroids are common and may cause fertility, pregnancy, or delivery issues. Doctors may recommend medications or surgery to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids.
Talk with your doctor about your treatment options and their impact on fertility or pregnancy.