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Some people call them fibroids. We can also refer to them as myomas. Or as leiomyomas. It is estimated that more than 70% of women will have one at some point in their life and yet there is a lot of misinformation on the subject.
Fibroids are benign tumours that are located in the uterus and whose tissue starts from the myometrium (middle layer of the uterine wall).
What types of fibroids are there?
There are three different types of fibroids. The differentiation is made due to their location. There are subseroses, which are the most common and are found on the external surface of the uterus. Intramurals, located within the uterine wall, also occur often. Finally, there are submucosal fibroids as well, which are located in the uterine cavity, where the embryonic implantation occurs.
How are they diagnosed?
With a transvaginal ultrasound the fibroids can be visualised perfectly. Furthermore, it is possible to find them during other imaging tests such as MRIs or CT scans.
What are the symptoms?
It is true that most fibroids are asymptomatic. However, some affected women have experienced the following symptoms:
- Painful and abundant menstruation
- Pelvic pain
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Fertility problems
- Frequent urination
Fibroids and fertility: what you need to know?
Experts know that fibroids can have an impact on the embryo implantation. However, these tumours do not always cause problems when undergoing fertility treatment. Let’s say that professionals begin to suspect that a myoma may be the cause of sterility when there is no other apparent reason that could have caused it and implantation failures or repeat abortions occur. Additionally, to evaluate if surgery is indicated or not, it is crucial to know what type of fibroids we are dealing with, in terms of location and size.
It is also important that both fertility experts and professionals who are going to monitor the pregnancy carry out periodic screenings of the fibroid. Sometimes fibroids do not give problems when undergoing fertility treatment, but they do when giving birth. If it is very big and close to the birth canal, it can cause difficulties.
Can you have surgery?
If the fibroids affect the endometrium and are submucosal, surgery is 100% necessary, since it has been demonstrated that their presence decreases the rate of embryonic implantation.
If the tumours are completely external, you do not have to have surgery. If, on the other hand, we find intramural fibroids, deciding whether there will be a surgery or not will depend on their size.
If you have been diagnosed with a myoma and you want to become a mother, don’t worry, the medical team from Clínica Tambre will inform you about your prognosis and possibilities. We will do our best, so that you can fulfil your dream without complications. We are waiting for you!