What are Uterine Fibroids and How Do they Affect Female Fertility?
Uterine Fibroids are not a major cause of infertility
, only causing approximately 3% of sterility. When uterine fibroids are to blame for infertility, the infertility is usually caused by a fibroid being located in an area that affects the mucus of the lining of the womb. This, as a result, creates a hostile environment for the embryo and prevents proper implantation and development. Fibroids may also become enlarged and block or distort the optimum shape of the fallopian tubes, thus leaving the sperm and the egg unable to meet and fertilize.Uterine fibroids can even be responsible for problems during pregnancy. It is thought that, by distorting the shape of the uterus, uterine fibroids can threaten the life of a developing baby. They can also interfere with the position of the fetus in the womb, as well as cause premature or painful labor, and bleeding.
Uterine fibroids can be, and often are, surgically removed. Other treatments that alleviate pain and symptoms of the condition include prescribing the patient with the oral contraceptive pill, various analgesics, ultrasound fibroid destruction, hormone therapy, and, as a last resort, hysterectomy.
What are Uterine Fibroids and How Do they Affect Female Fertility?
By: Lisa Olson