Fibroids are tumours of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue. In this article, we will discuss if fibroids can make a woman infertile and how can fibroids cause infertility.
Can a fibroid make a woman infertile?
The World Health Organization defines infertility as a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Fibroids are present in 5-10% of infertile patients and may be the sole cause of infertility in 1-2.4%. This research also states that removing the fibroids increased the pregnancy rate from 25% to 42%. Most women do not experience any symptoms of fibroids. There exists a heterogeneity of the fibroids with respect to their size, location, and number. Similarly, there is a heterogeneity visible among the patient populations due to which the impact on fertility is variable according to the patient.
How can fibroids cause infertility?
Fibroids may cause both recurrent pregnancy loss and infertility, depending on their location in the uterus. Fibroids can impair fertility in various ways. Research states that the cause of infertility is fibroids in around 5-10% of patients.
There are various theories that can explain how fibroids impair fertility, such as mechanisms that alter or change the anatomical location, functional changes of the myometrium (muscular outer layer of the uterus) and endometrium (lining of the uterus), and few endocrine mechanisms.
Fibroids may cause infertility by obstructing or blocking the fallopian tubes or by impairing the transfer of a reproductive cell (gamete), i.e., preventing the sperm from reaching the egg.
They can also cause infertility by impacting the size of the lining of the uterine cavity. In some cases, fibroids can prevent a fertilized egg from attaching itself to the lining of the womb.
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