Subserosal fibroids. These are benign tumors that do not affect a woman’s ability to conceive. They usually protrude outwards from outside layer of the uterus. Subserosal fibroids can protrude directly from the outer lining of the uterus or can grow a stalk or peduncle (pedunculated fibroids) to anchor itself. They can also grow in size and put pressure on neighboring organs like the bladder and bowels. The removal of subserosal fibroids is possible with a myectomy (either by laparoscopy or laparotomy).
Intramural fibroids. This type of myoma grows in the muscular part of the uterus. According to research, intramural fibroids can affect fertility and may increase a woman’s risk of miscarriage. The extraction of the tumor/s is possible with a myomectomy, a surgical procedure that removes that tumor but keeps the uterus intact. However, a successful myectomy does not guarantee that the patient can become pregnant.
Submucosal fibroids. The submucosal fibroids are the rarest type of uterine fibroids that can develop in women of child-bearing age. It grows in the inner layer of the uterus, thus making implantation impossible. Among the three types of uterine fibroids, women with submucosal fibroids are more at risk of infertility and pregnancy loss. Even if submucosal fibroids are benign tumors, they can cause complications such as heavy menstrual flow, frequent passing of clots, and anemia.
The best way to treat submucosal fibroids is by getting a hysteroscopic myomectomy, which is a procedure wherein a doctor inserts a hysteroscope inside the vagina to the uterus to locate and remove the fibroids. The removal of submucosal fibroids can result in the improvement of fibroids symptoms like heavy bleeding and pelvic pain.
How do uterine fibroids cause infertility?
Other than obstructing the path of the sperm and the fertilized egg, there are other factors that affect how fibroids cause infertility:
- Some fibroids can grow so large that it changes the size or shape of the uterus and the cervix, making it difficult for a number of sperm to pass.
- Fibroids can block the fallopian tubes, hindering egg and sperm travel and fertilization.
- The growth of fibroids in the uterine cavity can result in deformation, making implantation difficult.
- Fibroids in the uterine cavity also weaken or damage sub-endometrial artery blood flow, making it hard for the embryo to implant itself in the uterine wall.
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