Fibroids are common and often don’t cause serious problems. However, if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, they can sometimes lead to complications.
Understanding Fibroids
Most women have fibroids, also called myomas and leiomyomas, which are very common. In fact, about 70% to 80% of people with a uterus will have fibroids at some point during their reproductive years.
Fibroids, which are generally non-cancerous growths, can vary in number, size and location. Because of this, symptoms can be very different from person to person. If you think you may have fibroids, it’s important to talk with a gynecologist to understand your options and how to manage them.
Common Symptoms of Fibroids
Some people have no symptoms at all, while others may notice one or more of the following:
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the lower abdomen (sometimes with a visible bulge)
- Trouble getting pregnant or repeated miscarriages
- Pain during menses on-going pelvic pain
Trying To Get Pregnant with Fibroids
Even if you have fibroids, you’re likely to have a normal pregnancy without complications. However, it is still important to understand how many fibroids you have, fibroid size and where the fibroids are located.
If you’re having irregular periods, struggling to get pregnant or feeling pain, your doctor may recommend blood tests and imaging exams, such as a pelvic ultrasound, an MRI, or saline sonogram to take a closer look at your reproductive organs.
Fibroid-Related Risks During Pregnancy
- Pain – This is the most frequent symptom during pregnancy with fibroids. The larger the fibroid, the more likely you may experience pain in pregnancy.
- Preterm labor – If your fibroid is larger than 5 centimeters, you have multiple fibroids or the placenta is near the fibroid, you have an increased risk of delivering early.
- Placental Abruption – Fibroids can also affect the blood flow in the uterus, increasing the risk of placental abruption. This is a serious pregnancy condition where the placenta (the organ that supplies nutrients to the baby) partially or completely pulls away from the wall of the uterus before your baby is born.
- C-section or cesarean delivery – Fibroids can change the shape of the uterus, which may affect whether the baby is “head down” in the pelvis. This can increase the likelihood of needing a cesarean delivery.
- Heavy bleeding during delivery – The uterus is a large muscle, and what it needs to effectively do after delivery is contract to stop bleeding. Uterine fibroids may interfere with this process, increasing the risk of heavy bleeding.
Every woman, and every fibroid, is different. Your doctor will give you personalized care to keep you healthy and to deliver a healthy baby.
Once You’re Done Having Babies
Once you’ve completed your fertility journey, you should continue to have your fibroids monitored by your gynecologist. Typically, fibroids will continue to grow in your reproductive years until menopause. During menopause, fibroids may shrink or stay the same in size. During this transition, fibroids may continue to be asymptomatic, or you may experience symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, pain, or pelvic pressure. Typically, fibroids do not turn cancerous. Every woman is different. Personalized continuity of care will help you stay healthy!
This content is not AI generated.
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