How do uterine fibroids affect IVF success and what can you do about it?
Uterine fibroids are a common disorder in women of childbearing age: approximately 20% to 50% of women have fibroids. Although many fibroids are completely harmless, you may still wonder how they can affect your IVF success and whether removing them would
How do uterine fibroids affect IVF success and what can you do about it?
Uterine fibroids are a common disorder in women of childbearing age: approximately 20% to 50% of women have fibroids. Although many fibroids are completely harmless, you may still wonder how they can affect your IVF success and whether removing them would
How uterine fibroids affect IVF success
What are fibroids?
Uterine fibroids, also known as myomas, are abnormal, non-cancerous growths of the uterus made up of muscle and fibrous tissue that almost never develop into cancer.
Most often, fibroids cause no symptoms and may go undetected until after a routine gynecological exam or ultrasound. For women who do have symptoms, myomas are usually associated with:
- Abnormal bleeding / painful periods
- Pelvic pain/pressure
- Pain/discomfort during sex
In rare cases, myomas can alter a woman's fertility by changing the endometrial environment.
Types of fibroids
Based on their size, location and growth, fibroids (myomas) are classified into three main categories: Subseroma (growing in the outer wall of the uterus), Intramural (found in the muscle layers of the uterine wall), Submucosal (protrude into the uterine cavity) and Submucosal fibroids are divided into: Type 0 (fibroids without intramural extension), Type I (fibroids with less than 50% intramural extension), Type II (fibroids with more than 50% intramural extension).
Fibroid treatment and IVF
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment in which the egg is fertilized by sperm outside the female body (in vitro). The fertilized egg is then implanted into the woman's uterus to grow and develop into a baby.
To achieve a healthy pregnancy and be able to carry a baby to term, a woman's uterus must be in optimal condition. When uterine fibroids are present, the shape of the uterus may be distorted or the blood flow to the uterus may be altered, which in turn can affect the success of the pregnancy.
The number of cycles required to achieve an ongoing pregnancy in women with submucosal myomas is slightly higher than in intramural or subserous fibroids. Hysteroscopic removal of small fibroids that protrude into the uterine cavity may be recommended before IVF treatment.
Clinical pregnancy rates are generally higher after IVF with ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) in women with intramural or subserous fibroids greater than 4 cm compared with women with submucosal myomas. However, these rates tend to be lower compared with women without fibroids or fibroids ≤ 4 cm. Fibroids larger than 3 cm and not deforming the cavity are associated with lower delivery rates, whereas smaller fibroids do not appear to have an adverse effect on live birth rates.
Tips to help you manage and conceive faster with fibroids
Here are some simple tips that can help you feel better:
- Eat plenty of fruits (like apples and tomatoes), cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and cabbage) and whole grain foods (e.g., brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur (cracked wheat), millet, rolled oats, whole wheat/pasta bread).
- Check your blood pressure regularly and find healthy ways to manage it through diet, lifestyle or medication.
- Reduce your stress level by trying relaxation techniques such as yoga, massage, acupuncture or tai chi.
- If you have painful periods because of your fibroids, keep your legs elevated with a pillow or lie on your side and draw your knees into your chest.
- Consult your doctor about any supplements that may be helpful, such as vitamin D.
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