to be worried about fibroids whilst trying to conceive?

[RnR]

Hi, recently found out (during my initial consultaion at fertility clinic last Thurs) from a scan that I have around 5 fairly large (size of small plums) fibroids in the uterus. The very po faced (scary) consultant was slightly alarmed and recommended a laparoscopy to investigate further. She implied that they may be the reason I have not yet conceived.

I am 40 this year, been trying for a year and a half.

Attempted a search on past conversations, so much to see and quite confusing.

Is anyone in the same situation as me, or has been through a similar experience?

I was quite shocked, did not expect the scan tbh, just questions and form filling so spent the last day in a daze. Trying not to freak out as there is SO much info on the net and not enough if you know what I mean.

Nearest date for the laporoscopy is beg June so a long time waiting.

Thanks

[Susiebf49]

Wonder if someone can help I'm a 49 yrs old and discover ed I have a small fibroid I dnt have heavy periods but feel like I want to wee a lot I'm definitely confused I'm at docs nxt week so will prob find out more any info would be greatly appreciated a wored susie

[Jenn1976]

Hi everyone I know this is an old thread. I have recently been diagnosed with 3 fibroids. 2 are 1 cm in the uterine wall and one is outside the uterus 2-3 cm. I'm 41 years old and am trying for my first baby. I just feel that with this and age I don't really have a chance but looking for positive stories I think it all depends where they are located the doctor did not seemed concerned and said they were common I started having heavy periods about six months ago and that's why I went to the doctor to investigate. my periods are around 26 days now and regular. Any tips for getting pregnant over 40 with fibroids?

[Bubblybubbles80]

I know this is an old thread but maybe some of you can comment

does anyone know much about fibroids? i have had 3 mc, I'm booked for a d&c on tuesday

1st m/c scan rold i have 1 fibroid size 24.1cm3 intramural posterior right
2nd m/c 43.4cm3
3rd m/c told i have 2 first scan told it was 31.7cm3 and 1.5cm3 (subserous)
2nd scan 64.9cm3

could this be effecting my m/c?

any thoughts?

[NorwegianBirdhouse]

Hi,

I have two large fibroids or ‘Huge’ as my gynaecologist keeps saying (10cm and 20 cm). He wanted to remove them but I did a lot of research and I was worried about the risks of scar tissue making it harder for embryos to implant and the risk of emergency hysterectomy, though this is apparently small. He said it would be hard for me to conceive and if I did they were likely to cause big problems and the pregnancy would probably not go to term. I even did one of those ‘ask a doctor on line’ questions and he said his hospital specialised in this and he had never seen a live birth from women with fibroids as large as mine, or much smaller for that matter.

Anyway, I refused surgery and it took just under 2 years to conceive. The pregnancy went so smoothly and some scans suggested the fibroids has shrunk. The only thing was the baby was breech. He was born via CC but for totally unrelated health reasons when I was 39. My gynaecologist still wants me to get them out as they are still huge but he was very surprised that they cause me no trouble. We are not TTC again due to my other health issues. Calling for a cancellation is the way to go.

[Whippet81]

My DS is 4 weeks old and also at my 12 week scan I found out I had two whacking fibroids - I had been having problems with pain and heavy bleeding but despite various scans and investigations never picked up - have also had numerous dodgy smears and laser on my cervix so it's def not impossible to conceive - we had been trying about 12 months and I am 33.

I did have a lot of back pain etc during pregnancy but to be honest I put it down to by hypermobility - never considered it might be the fibroids and no one ever said anything. Never seems to be any concern over fibroids - I was consultant led anyway for other problems but they just tend to do a couple more scans and keep an eye that they don't get any bigger.

[lazaringo]

I have two fibroids (5x5x5 and 2x2x2). They've doubled in size since first diagnosed 5/6 years ago and cause pain and heavy prolonged bleeding. I am ttc and on list for IVF but various consultants and a midwife have told me that no need to remove because they in no way interfere with lining of womb, so that seems to be benchmark. For those who do have interfering fibroids, the treatment options seem very varied, and every story I've heard is positive about the removal process and recovery. The midwife also told me ages been at births where women have football size fibroids! It seems it's so very common and while they can cause nasty symptoms it's certainly possible to have babies. Good luck everyone.

[isoldeone]

thanks romilly - good luck - my contractions were fine.

I was of the school if it aint broke why fix it but i have had this kind of surgery before (unnnecessarily see previous post) and therefore dont relish the thought of it.
my ginormous fibriods have degenerated - this may cause a lot more pain 2nd time round. they have to come out at some point one is a litre in size. i feel i'm dammed if i do i'm dammned if i dont.

someone told me fern britton of all people had this problem and the pain got worse each time...?

[Romilly70]

Hi isoldene,
I am 17 wks pg with DCno.1 and discovered a ginormous fibroid, (15cm x 10cm) at my 11week scan.
My obstetrician thinks I need a c-section; the fibroid is not blocking my cervix or anything but he is not sure whether my contractions will be effective enough.

I asked about ttc DCno.2, as i will be 40 when I deliver DC1, he suggested that i have the fibroid removed first.
However as I conceived relatively quickly (6 months) given my age, and I am of the view, if it aint broke, why fix it, I thought I would just go ahead with TTC.

(Slightly less flippantly, i am a little concerned about the risk of haemorraghing / worst case scenario emergency hysterectomy, so i think it is best te be a "uninvasive" as possible.

You are only 37, so I think you have a little time to explore your options.
Here is the link to the NHS site reagrding treatments:
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibroids/Pages/Treatment.aspx

[isoldeone]

bumping - fanjo are you around still? could do with some advice

I had a lovely healthy little boy by normal delivery. It wasn't the nicest of pregnancies but the hyperemesis was worse than the pain from the fibroids. I've recently had the fibroids checked becuase I was worried they could attach themeselves to other organs. They haven't. phew! My fibroids are on the outside of my womb and my ovaries are fine apparently. I really really want another baby and the consultant warned me that it would be sensible to have them removed but not essential. He's warned me I need to have injections for three months and then I have to have major abdominal surgery again. aagh !I'm 37 next week - eek I really want another baby - I asked what would would happen if I got pregnant again without surgery- he said the pain would be worse this time - along with all the chances of mc increasing. But then theres the chance of me losing my uterus with surgery - slim but possible.

Work won't be best pleased either after a years maternity and being off during my first preganncy, what do to whilst my lo if I have the op.- so much to consider

Anyone around to advise who rememebers this thread. wwyd?

cheers

[fifiya]

This my first time on Mumsnet. I have just miscarried for the second time. Both within a day of 14 weeks. No problem getting pregnant it seems (despite being 41) but I am wondering if it is my fibroids causing the MC? Both times have had healthy scans at 13 weeks( with good NT results), and miscarried a week later. This time I did have bleeding and passed clots in the last few days ..but a second scan just the day before MC confirmed baby okay! I wonder if my Uterus got over-excited about expelling blood clots from the bleed and accidentally expelled the baby? Or could it not compete with the fibroids- the largest being 13.5 cm x 10 x ?. I just don't get the spooky timing of both MCs!
At this moment I am thinking surgery is my best option but worry about recovery time... my age etc etc
any feedback would be appreciated!

[self]

a laproscopy is a good start, i had one and was told i had a fibroid , endometriosis, a scar , blocked tubes and was told to go for ivf straight away paid for it and was about to start injections but was told to wait as i had unprotected sex found out was pregnant within 2 months of laproscopy. it was a miracle my son is now 14months good luck.

[JulieAC]

I found out at 10 weeks pregnant that I had several large fibroids (one 10cms)(one 6cm)Others various

I experienced bleeding and pain for a couple of weeks which then passed and no more during the pregnancy. My consultant said that having got pregnant many women then go on to have successful births. But have also read that it can depend on location and if fallopean tubes are affected. Also that implantation may be more difficult because of fibriods taking up space.

I had regular scans to check progress and see if a natural birth would be possible. Ben will now be 2 next week.

Starting to try again now - but at 38 don't know likelihood - there's so much information out there.

Finding out about fibroids is scary - wish you every luck.

Julie

[LaLaB]

Jus read post on chemicals leaching into food in microwaves - well having said that shampoos, soaps, creams, make up are all full of chemical crap which mimic hormones too. about a year before i got pregnant I started using scent free green people cream and shower gel/shampoo- no parabens, sodium laureth sulfate or any other gunk - they are about as natural as can be - worth a try.

[LaLaB]

I had a 12cm x 10 x 11cm fibroid, and then a 2x2x2 - unbeknowns to me - and I literally had a honeymoon baby. I considered going private, but went to UCH instead and just saw a consultant instead of a MW for all of my appts. The fibroid blocked my cervix so i had no choice but to have a c-section, whcih initially upset me bu tthen i relaised the most important thing was healthy baby healthy me...now the fibroid is 10x10, some surgeons recommend laparascopy - some dont. IT's hard to know what to do, they advised me not to b/c of the size and the fact I was able to get pregnant - I dont think they are hereditary either...and there are some schools of thought in complemenatry medicine as to what causes them - read caroline myss's the creation of health. Best of Luck.

[Tillyscoutsmum]

I suspect no one else is reading this thread anymore but I got my BFP a week or so ago !! To be honest, I wouldn't have thought I was taking the wheatgrass for long enough for it to have any effect, but just wanted to share - just in case

[RnR]

Sounds grim Tillyscoutsmum bleagh!
I am off on holiday tomorrow so will plan to buy some over there or when I come back.

[RnR]

I meant to say we heat food up all the time in plastic containers...

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Right - I am the proud owner of a rather rancid looking and smelling bottle of Wheatgrass juice

Down the hatch

[RnR]

Interesting food pointers MrsMerryHenry, will def try eat more beans and pulses, not very good with those. We heat food up all the time in the microwave, I make mini meals and freeze them, or take them to work to heat up.

[MrsMerryHenry]

Yes, there is a connection between weight and fibs - I think they say you should stay under about 75kg.

Also dietary tips include eating beans and pulses (esp hormone-balancing mung beans), dark green leafy veg (wheatgrass packs power punch here) and reducing intake of food containing hormones (i.e. non-organic meat products). Also, you should avoid heating food in plastic containers as believe it or not this causes a bizarre reaction where hormone-like substances leach from the plastic into the food.

Not heard about the mole simile before, interesting.

got to go!

xx

[Tillyscoutsmum]

RnR - I get ov pains and some months they are quite strong. I also get very heavy/painful periods but the rest of the cycle, I don't really notice them (to the point where I had no idea I had them until my mc's).

I'm not overweight though. I'm not skinny either but I have a supposedly healthy BMI

The mole thing is strange and clearly doesn't apply to everyone but my consultant likened fibroids to moles (i.e. that's what they would look and feel like on the the inside iyswim) and in the same way you can get flat moles and raised moles, the same applies with fibroids.

[RnR]

I think I am ovulating at the moment.

[RnR]

MrsMerryHenry, I have also read that fibroids tend to effect those who are overweight. I have never been underweight so perhaps... I am presently on a diet so hoping that might help in the future.

I was also wondering whether diet could help so I will def check out your link on wheatgrass juice, cannot do any harm to try I guess.

Not sure what type I have, I am just so impatient to find out!

Now that I know I have fibroids I am convinced I can feel them - slight sharp pains and aches...am I imagining this??

[RnR]

I don't have lots of moles but I do have a newish one (4years old) under my boob, and smaller ones that have come and gone around the same area. It changes all the time, not in colour but in shape and sometimes itches. I may mention that.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

I don't have lots of moles either...