The Impact of Uterine Fibroids on Infertility

The information below is based on a presentation provided by Valerie Montgomery Rice, M.D.  Dr. Rice is the Dean and Executive Vice President, Morehouse School of Medicine


The impact of fibroids on fertility studies have only started being pulled in their cumulative status and been deemed clinically relevant since 2002.

• Uterine Leiomyomas (fibroids) are benign tumors arising from the myometrium.
• Fibroids are the most common gynecologic tumor.
• They affect about 77% of reproductive age women.
• Fibroids will most likely come back after removal.
• Fibroids are the main indication in over 200,000 hysterectomies each year in the US.
• Vitamin D deficiency is associated with risk of uterine fibroids in African American women.
• Green Tea Extract may be a treatment for uterine fibroids.
• It is important to find out where your fibroids are, their size and whether they will prevent pregnancy.

Schematic drawing of various types of uterine fibroids: a=subserosal fibroids, b=intramural fibroids, c=submucosal fibroid, d=pedunculated submucosal fibroid, e=fibroid in statu nascendi
[Source:  Picture and description found on Wikipedia]

• Based on the presentation, it appears that intramural fibroids cause a negative outcome for trying to get pregnant.  More studies must be done as this conclusion is still controversial.

As always contact your health care provider (whomever that may be) regarding your personal and unique health concerns.

Disclaimer:  Howard University College of Medicine/Howard University Hospital, and their staffs, and the National Institutes of Health and staff and the doctor/presenter and the blogger for "Sorry But I Had To Scream" are not responsible for injury or illness resulting form the use of medications or modalities discussed during this educational activity.