Author - Dr Poonam Garg
Consultant - Obstetrician, Gynaecologist at Motherhood Chaitanya Hospital, Chandigarh

Infertility in Fibroids

Infertility is an important social and economic problem today because a lot of couples plan their families much later in life. With increasing age, the chances of women getting pregnant are fewer and may be less likely to maintain a pregnancy. According to Dr. Poonam Garg, Obstetrician, Gynaecologist & Foetal Medicine, uterine fibroids are one of the prime reasons for infertility in couples. These block the fallopian tubes or stop a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. This is more common in women at a later age. In such cases, consulting the best IVF doctor in Chandigarh can be an excellent option.

What are Fibroids?

Fibroids or uterine fibroids are benign smooth muscle tumours of the uterus. These noncancerous growths of the uterus often appear during childbearing years. The size of fibroids ranges in size from seedlings to bulky masses that can distort or enlarge the uterus. Women might have single fibroids or multiple ones. In addition, these can also change the size and shape of the uterus making it difficult to get pregnant.

What are the Types of Fibroids?

The fertility specialist in sector 43, Chandigarh classifies fibroids into the following types:

1. Subserosal Fibroids: These develop on the outer uterine wall and can continue to grow outward increasing in size.
2. Intramural Fibroids: These develop within the uterine wall and expand from there.
3. Submucosal Fibroids: These develop just under the lining of the uterine cavity.
4. Pedunculated Fibroids: These fibroids grow in the form of a stalk on the uterus wall.

What are the Possible Causes and Risk Factors of Uterine Fibroids?

Although the exact cause of uterine fibroids is not known yet the best IVF doctor in Chandigarh considers below causes:

1. Hormones: The estrogen levels in the body stimulate the development of the uterine lining to prepare for Pregnancy. A high level of this hormone may also promote the growth of fibroids.
2. Heredity: Fibroids also run in the family.
3. Obesity: Fibroids are more likely to develop in women with obesity due to increased estrogen production.

Can Fibroids Cause Infertility?

If you are thinking of starting a family, you may wonder if fibroids can hinder conception. According to the fertility specialist in sector 43, Chandigarh, approximately five to ten per cent of women experiencing issues with fertility have fibroids. Uterine fibroids can cause infertility differently. For starters, it can alter the shape of the cervix due to fibroids growing near it. A misshapen cervix can decrease the amount of sperm entering the uterus. Secondly, fibroids can also stretch and distort the uterus, affecting the lining, which can also interfere with sperm successfully fertilizing an egg or preventing a fertilized egg from implanting. Tumours can also block the fallopian tubes.

How Fibroids Cause Infertility?

Infertility due to fibroids depends on the location and size of your fibroids. A lot of women with fibroids get pregnant while others find it difficult. Fibroids can lead to infertility due to:

1. Changing the shape of your cervix, allowing less sperm to enter.
2. Changing the shape of your uterus blocks the movement of sperm or embryos.
3. Blocking fallopian tubes.
4. Impacting the size of uterine cavity lining.
5. Reducing blood flow to the uterine cavity will not allow an embryo to implant.

Fibroids affect your fertility in many ways. If you are finding it difficult to get pregnant, visit the best IVF doctor in Chandigarh to check if you have fibroids. You can also consult Dr Poonam Garg at the Motherhood Hospitals.