Uterine fibroids are a common problem among women in Kenya that are within the childbearing bracket. The main reason for this is the delayed need to get pregnant by women that have prioritized other areas of their life before starting a family. It is for this reason that many women need information on the potential link between infertility and fibroids so that they are aware of the choices ahead of them. In reality, fibroids are benign tumours that are of different types and often occur both inside and outside the uterus area.
For most women, having fibroids will not affect their ability to conceive especially if they are small in size or occur away from the reproductive system. However, if the tumours are positioned in the uterus and are continuing to grow in size they are likely to affect the conception process even though there are usually no physical symptoms seen or felt in their growth or multiplication. Therefore, it is important to seek medical advice from your doctor or fertility specialist early on for information on the best way to treat or manage the growing fibroids.
Nevertheless, there are a number of ways in which fertility can be reduced when you have fibroids and they include:
• Change in shape of the cervix
At times, fibroids that are large in size or growing on the surface of the uterus can alter the normal shape of the cervix. The result of the distortion of the cervix is the inability of the maximum number of sperms to be allowed to enter a woman’s uterus. The reduced number of sperm may make conception harder for women with fibroids.
• Blocked fallopian tubes
Fibroids can also grow on the outer part of the uterus covering the entire area surrounding it. When this happens, the tumours end up blocking a woman’s fallopian tubes which makes it hard for the fertilized egg to reach the uterus and implant itself. In some cases, implantation becomes impossible due to large amounts of fibroids in the uterus.
• Change in shape of the uterus
In most cases, the large fibroids will also affect the natural shape of the uterus thus limiting the spaces that embryo implantation can take place. If left untreated, fibroids can grow to a large size and fill up the uterus area making it hard for an embryo to develop well and even grow to a full-term baby.
• Weakened uterine lining
Fibroids that grow under the lining of the uterus end up making it weak which makes it hard for the embryo to implant itself in place. Also, when the lining is weak, blood circulation to the growing embryo is inhibited and you might suffer a miscarriage in the early weeks of pregnancy.
Fortunately, treatment of fibroids is available making it possible for many women with the medical problem to conceive and carry a baby to full term. Treatment can be surgical or non-surgical depending on the type, location and amount of fibroids in the uterus or pelvic area.
