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

[MrsMerryHenry]

Sorry, only read your OP. Where are the fib's located - inside the uterine cavity? If so you should definitely have them removed, although there's no guarantee that the myomectomy op will not damage the womb lining.

I had several fibroids about 5-7 cm in the wall of my womb, tried to conceive (not for very long, tbh - about 3 months, during which time I was considering having fib operation anyway). After the op, I conceived immediately.

I was a few years younger than you, but nonetheless I believe the operation made a huge difference.

They will grow back later, I'm afraid, although there's lots you can do in terms of your diet and weight, etc to lessen the chances. Also during preg you may find that they develop but then become diffuse - i.e. they spread and flatten, and rarely cause probs during preg.

If you get preg (fingers crossed) with fibroids, they can start to degenerate at around 6 months preg, which can cause a fair amount of pain. This happens because the blood supply is favouring the baby and not the blood fibroids.

Whatever you do, I wish you the very best.

xxx

[MrsMerryHenry]

Tillyscout - it depends purely on where they are. If they're outside the womb, it's unlikely they'll cause problems. If they're intramural (lodged in the wall, like mine), same again - though slightly higher risk. If they're inside the womb cavity you could have problems as your womb lining will be removed with the operation.

I am currently looking into the possibility of shrinking them by drinking wheatgrass juice - sounds nutty but there seems to be scientific backing for this: this article details the use of sodium dismutase (aka SOD!) to reduce fibroids in chemo patients. SOD is found in high quanities in wheatgrass and barley grass juice. I currently have small fibroids, and when I drink this stuff twice a day the pain symptoms around ovulation are greatly reduced.

I think you'd need to talk to a specialist about this, especially as it may be difficult to reduce large fibroids this way - what I'm saying is, having pursued the alternative route myself in the past (for largish fibroids) I recommend the medical route. However the natural route can support whatever you're doing medically.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

They were found on ultrasound when i was investigated for pain, and then could be felt externally when they grew big.

The huge one was on a stalk attached to the womb and the rest were all outside or in the wall, thankfully.

They were removed by abdominal surgery, which was quite major but definitely worth it!!

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Merry - thanks for that. That's really interesting about wheatgrass and barley grass juice. Tbh, the fibroids don't really bother me most of the time. Its only really when ttc or in pregnancy that they are an issue, so I'm loathe to have surgery when that could also impact on ttc etc.

I'm pretty sure mine were mainly intramural, with one large one outside (top) of womb and a couple inside the cavity but presumably they grow/change all the time ?

Thanks again

[Tillyscoutsmum]

sorry - one more thing - do those of you who have fibroids also have a lot of moles ?? I do and was told it was related ?..

[MrsMerryHenry]

I don't have lots of moles.

Hope your fibs stay under control, Tills.

My fabulous gynae always said that if it's not interfering with your life, you shouldn't worry about it. Mine caused a lot of pain at certain points in my cycle, and also caused a hell of a lot of bleeding, hence my op.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

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

[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.

[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 think I am ovulating at the moment.

[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.

[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

[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.

[Tillyscoutsmum]

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

Down the hatch

[RnR]

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

[RnR]

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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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!

[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

[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]

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...?