Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors found in the uterus of a large number of women, typically over the age of 35. Most women will never encounter any difficulties related to their fibroids, but a percentage experience heavy bleeding, pain, cramping and other complications. Many women never even know they have them. Surgery is available for those women who suffer complications, including myomectomy and hysterectomy, as well as some less invasive procedures. Uterine fibroids have been known to affect a woman's fertility and can increase the risks associated with in vitro fertilization, or IVF.
Fibroids and Pregnancy
Fibroids generally do not interfere with a woman's ability to conceive, but they can interfere with an egg's ability to successfully implant and a woman's ability to maintain her pregnancy. The size and location of the fibroid makes a large difference in the risk of miscarriage. The larger the tumor, the more it can distort the womb. This makes implantation more difficult and increases the risk of miscarriage. If the tumor is located too close to the fetus, it can also increase the risk of miscarriage.
Fibroids and Implantation
Fibroids affect the success of IVF treatments, which is already mixed. A 1995 study showed that women who have fibroids that distort the lining of the uterus have one-third the chance of implantation than women with no fibroids. Women with fibroids that do not distort the lining have the same chance as those without fibroids.
Fibroids and IVF Cycles
While fibroids may not affect a woman's natural ability to conceive, they have been shown to affect how many cycles of IVF are needed to culminate in a successful pregnancy. In 2007, scientists at the University of Medical Science in Bari, Italy examined whether the presence of fibroids affected the outcome of IVF in a four-year study. They found that women with tumors over 4 cm needed to complete an increased number of cycles to achieve a continuous pregnancy.
Fibroids and IVF Pregnancy
A 2002 study reported in Human Reproduction magazine found "...there was a distinct trend for lower live delivery rates and higher miscarriage rates..." for women with fibroids of 5 cm or larger undergoing IVF as compared to women without tumors. Fibroids located at the beginning of the birth canal can also impact childbirth and require a cesarean section delivery.
Fibroids and IVF Options
Women with tumors over 4 to 5 cm may wish to discuss options with their doctor and to have tests done that identify exactly where and how large their tumors are, as well as look at any growth patterns for their tumors, before undergoing IVF.
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