Submucosal Fibroids anyone?

[CycleGirl20]

I've just found out I have a 2cm wide submucosal fibroid. Has anyone had a similar scan outcome? From consulting Dr. Google I note that this kind of fibroid can impact fertility, but it's quite hard to say if it actually does in any given case. We've been trying for 7 months and I'm 34.

I had a slightly larger submucosal fibroid when I was 30. My consultant recommended a hysteroscopic resection which was apparently a relatively new procedure (14 years ago) and one he didn't do so he referred me to another consultant at a different hospital.

The fibroid turned out to be more deeply embedded than the scan suggested so a lump of my womb wall was removed along with the fibroid. I unexpectedly fell pregnant 3 months later! (I also had PCOS but had never ttc before). The consultant kept a close eye on me but it didn't complicate my pregnancy.

Oh, I had to have injections a week or two before the op to bring about a temporary menopause, I can't remember why though I afraid but the hospital arranged for my GP to give the injection.

There are procedures they can do to preserve your womb and let your Dr know you are trying to conceive. I hope it works out well for you.

Thanks @RustyParker. It's great to hear your success story! The doctor who did my scan suggested a good surgeon would be able to just whip mine out, but it still sounds scary and I wouldn't want complications

Hi CycleGirl20,

Submucous fibroids definitely impacts fertility. This is because they interfere with the endometrium layer where the egg usually implants. (www.mayoclinic.org/-/media/kcms/gbs/patient-consumer/images/2013/11/15/17/38/ds00078_-my00501_im01586_hdg7_fibroidlocationthu_jpg.jpg)

However 2cm wide is not the entire surface area of the endometrium so something else is happening at the same time interfering with implantation (possibly inflammation). I say this because studies show that removing submucous fibroids significantly increases your fertility. 43% vs 27% (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16603437/)

However that's not a big fat zero, so it depends on you personally. Also your body may need 3 - 6 months to recover from surgery, which is something you need to consider.

Keep ttc in the mean time and see what the Ob/Gyn Consultant suggests based on their experience for you.

I'm assuming your OH tests came back ok?

Thanks @Isareeya. It is hard to say isn't it. OH tests? Other half? He's on the wait list for a sperm test. My bloods came back good and my scan otherwise showed I have a good egg reserve, no PCO, no liquid based blockages in my tubes (they can't see tissue based on this kind of scan) strong follicles on both sides and am about to ovulate which is good news, so I'm clinging to that a bit to cheer myself up.

I have private insurance through work. I spoke to them. They don't cover fertility but because I have some bloating and discomfort plus painful periods on the first day, they've referred me to a gynecologist. Hopefully they'll be able to advise on the benefits of waiting over removing it, especially given it's currently small.

@Isareeya I've just reread my report following reading your link. I actually have 4 fibroids. The report I got suggests the submucosal one is likely to be a fertility impact, but not the other 3). I have 3 intramural and 1 submucosal. The link you posted (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16603437/) suggests removing the intramural ones results in an even better success rate for pregnancy. 40% pregnancy rate in the next year goes up to 56.5% after removing intramural fibroids in women who'd already tried for 1 year with no success. Gosh. Glad I should get a gynecologist appointment through soon.

Yeah it's hard to say. This kind of fibroid has also been reported to regress (disappear) during pregnancy in some cases although that's not the norm.

Yes OH = other half. The reason I ask is because 'infertility' is generally linked to 30% female only, 30% male only and 40% combination of both female and male factors, so its important he gets fully checked.

Hope everything comes back good regardless and its just the usual waiting game and the rule of probability.

Although the pregnancy rates were also higher for surgical removal of intramural fibroids, they said this was not statistically significant (valid) in this study, regarding overall fertility.

However thinking about it logically, any fibroid is an abnormality and will be having some effect on the natural balance of your body's various systems.

Given you have more than just one, definitely book that appointment and see what he/she recommends from their own experience.

I know this is an older thread but didn’t anyone have any success? I’m due my FET but unsure as I gave a 1cm fibroid pushing on my lining / cavity. It wasn’t seen on my hyterscopy last May but it was only 4mm then. The dr said removal is open surgery like a c section. Just feeling so deflated before we’ve even started. Well I’ve failed a fresh transfer and have my blasts.