How a fibroid affects pregnancy depends more on where it is than on its size. The video explains which fibroids may need surgery before pregnancy.
In the video, Prof. Dr. İkbal Kaygusuz uses images to explain how fibroids can affect pregnancy. Fibroids are benign tumours that develop from the muscle layer of the uterus and can sit in different places: they can stay within the muscle wall, or grow towards the outside of the uterus or into the uterine cavity.
The key point of the video is that, for pregnancy, the location of a fibroid matters more than its size. A large fibroid growing towards the outside of the uterus may have no negative effect, while a 2–3 cm fibroid growing into the cavity can make things harder. An embryo reaching the uterus looks for a suitable place to settle; where a fibroid distorts the inner surface, the chance of implantation may be lower and, if it does implant, the risk of miscarriage may be higher. If a fibroid sits where it blocks the cervix, sperm may be unable to reach the tubes.
So even a 1 cm fibroid in the inner layer of the uterus can sometimes reduce the chance of pregnancy, while a large fibroid growing outwards may not need to be touched. In summary, if a fibroid blocks the cervix or the tubes, or distorts the uterine cavity, surgical removal is considered before pregnancy.
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