Will uterine fibroids affect fertility?

Uterine fibroids are a common gynecological disease in clinical practice. Some women who have just gotten married may also develop uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids can cause great damage to the uterus. Many women are very concerned about whether uterine fibroids will affect fertility. In fact, uterine fibroids will have a certain impact on pregnancy, but uterine fibroids will not necessarily lead to infertility. This is related to factors such as the location of the uterine fibroids.

The extent to which uterine fibroids affect the ability to conceive is related to the location, size and number of the fibroids. The reason for infertility caused by uterine fibroids is often that the fibroids block the cervical opening or the inner opening of the fallopian tube, affecting the passage of sperm, or the fibroids occupy the site for the fertilized egg to implant and prevent the pregnancy.

Several common situations

1. Uterine fibroids near the uterine horn. Uterine fibroids that grow near the uterine horns can compress the opening of the fallopian tubes and cause blockage.

2. Larger uterine fibroids. Larger uterine fibroids can deform the uterine cavity, which is not conducive to the passage of sperm, implantation of fertilized eggs and fetal development.

3. Uterine fibroids in the cervix. Uterine fibroids growing in the cervix can compress the cervical canal, obstruct the passage or change the direction of the cervical opening, moving it away from the semen pool in the posterior fornix, making it difficult for sperm to enter the cervical opening.

4. Uterine fibroids in the uterine cavity. Submucosal uterine fibroids growing in the uterine cavity are like a spherical intrauterine device placed in the uterine cavity, which hinders fertility. The endometrium on the surface of the uterine cavity is ischemic, necrotic, and atrophic, which is not conducive to the implantation of the fertilized egg.

5. Uterine fibroids within the broad ligament. Uterine fibroids growing in the broad ligament can cause the fallopian tube attached to its surface to stretch and twist, squeezing the cavity and affecting its patency, or dislocate the ovary, widening the distance between the ovary and fallopian tube, and hindering the egg-collecting function of the fimbria of the fallopian tube.

In addition, some women with uterine fibroids are prone to miscarriage even if they are pregnant, especially in the late pregnancy. Under the influence of uterine fibroids, some pregnant women may experience premature birth, dystocia and other conditions due to disordered uterine contractions. Therefore, the editor recommends that women who want to conceive consider conceiving after treating uterine fibroids.