Can My Fibroids Stop Me From Getting Pregnant?

Fibroids are growths on your uterine wall or the muscles of the uterus. They aren’t cancerous but can cause some complications of their own. While mostly harmless, fibroids primarily affect women of reproductive age and may or may not cause symptoms. 

A pelvic examination can detect uterine fibroids, which are often the cause behind:

• Heavy periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Pain during sex
• Low back pain
• Constipation
• Bloating in the lower abdomen

With so many potential signs and with fibroids’ ability to grow very large in some women, it’s no surprise that fibroid complications can be more substantial than abnormal bleeding and pelvic discomfort. 

Our accomplished team of OB/GYNs at The Association for Women’s Health Care is here to assist you with a fibroid diagnosis, any necessary treatment, and the services you need to manage your symptoms. 

At our offices in The Loop in Chicago and Northbrook, Illinois, you can trust our team to give you personalized care that could preserve your fertility. 

How fibroids can affect fertility

Uterine fibroids are the sole cause of infertility in about 2-3% of women, including cases of recurrent pregnancy loss. But they don’t always disrupt your fertility.

As a condition that affects around 20% of women during their reproductive years, the complications depend on the growths’ locations and sizes. 

Fibroids in certain areas in and around the uterus can block sperm from ever reaching an egg if they’re large enough. Uterine fibroids may inhibit your ability to get pregnant if they’re:

• Blocking a fallopian tube
• Blocking blood flow to the uterus
• Altering the shape of your cervix
• Altering the shape of your uterus

Some fibroids prevent fertilization in the first place while others can interrupt or even terminate a pregnancy that already exists. They can shift an embryo’s position in the uterus or prevent the embryo from getting enough oxygenated blood supply. 

When issues like these arise, they can lead to miscarriage, hospitalization, or preterm deliveries.

Are you planning to get pregnant?

If you’d like to get pregnant sometime soon, please book a visit to one of our Association for Women’s Health Care locations for a comprehensive evaluation. Whether or not you have any common fibroid symptoms, we can look for fibroids that we may need remove before you try to have a baby.

When planning treatment for fibroids, we ask if you intend to get pregnant at all. Your answer to this question guides our treatment planning. 

And if you’re pregnant or would like to be, you should let us know of any fibroid removals in the past. Because prior procedures can affect childbirth, we might recommend a cesarean section birth for your safety. 

Fibroids are common, but they don’t always cause issues with fertility. Call or schedule an appointment online today for information on fibroids and related women’s health concerns.