Expert Women’s Health Specialists Committed to Your Well-Being
Women’s bodies are deeply complex and require expert women’s health specialists who are not only highly knowledgeable and skilled, but compassionate and committed to your well-being.
Fibroids and Fertility: Everything You Should Know
Many women have fibroids and never have a single symptom. Others suffer from heavy and unpredictable bleeding, severe uterine cramps, and other symptoms the majority of their lives. What many don’t know is that fibroids can also affect your ability to become and remain pregnant.
At Women’s Health Care Center of Houston, with two locations in Houston, Texas, our team of women’s health and reproduction specialists are deeply committed to your fertility journey. We can help determine if you have fibroids, and if so whether or not they could be contributing to your infertility struggles.
Fibroid basics
Fibroids, also called myomas or leiomyomas, are noncancerous (benign) growths. Uterine fibroids appear in the uterus, and can cause either no symptoms or a range of symptoms up to and including the following:
- Heavy monthly bleeding
- Unpredictable or erratic bleeding
- Pain and heaviness in the abdomen
- Severe cramping of the uterus
- Infertility
Fibroids affect around 70%-80% of women of reproductive age. You can have fibroids for years and not even know if you don’t have symptoms or only have mild symptoms. If you’ve been trying to pinpoint why you can’t get pregnant, an ultrasound to look for fibroids could be a good next step.
How fibroids impact fertility
Fibroids can grow in different areas in and around the uterus and other reproductive organs. Small fibroids usually don’t cause infertility. However, if fibroids are found on the inside of the uterine wall, are very large, or are numerous, you could have several fertility issues, such as:
- Blocking of the fallopian tubes so eggs can’t enter the uterus
- Thickening of the uterine wall so a fertilized egg can’t implant
- Decreased blood flow to the uterine cavity so an embryo can’t develop
- Crowding in the uterus so a fetus can’t grow
If you have fibroids and/or a history of infertility/recurring pregnancy loss, you should talk to your OB/GYN about your family planning options. There may be conservative treatments that can shrink your fibroids before you try again to get pregnant.
Many fibroid treatments will themselves interfere with fertility. If you have had ablation or a fibroid removed surgically in an effort to increase fertility, you may need to plan a C-section for a safe birth. We’re here for you every step of the way, finding ways around infertility so you can experience the joys of becoming a parent.
Whether you have fibroids or something else is impacting your fertility, you’re in good hands with our team. Call Women’s Health Care Center of Houston at 713-365-2900 or visit our contact page to schedule your consultation with our caring, compassionate professionals today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Personalized Care Designed for Women’s Unique Needs
Women have unique needs when it comes to health care, but sadly, these needs are not always addressed, even by women’s health care practitioners. Learn more about personalized women’s health care here.
Compassionate Women’s Health Services You Can Trust
When it comes to women’s health, comfort and compassion can be hard to find. A trustworthy gynecology practice can provide both.
Comprehensive Care for Every Stage of Women’s Health
Women experience a long list of unique conditions and symptoms, which is why it’s important for them to receive specialized healthcare.
Overlapping Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts and Fibroids
Many conditions appear to be very similar based on symptoms, so it can take time to arrive at a diagnosis for common women’s health ailments like fibroids and ovarian cysts.
4 Lifestyle Habits You Should Adopt During Menopause
Menopause can be a real trial-and-error situation as you figure out what does and doesn’t work for you to manage symptoms. Here are a few habits that can help make your life easier.