Uterine Fibroid

[sailorsanchor]

I posted this in another sub-forum, but someone suggested that I post here as I may get better results.

About a week ago my doctor found a 7cm intramural uterine fibroid at my yearly exam. The following day I had an ultrasound where he told me the size and location.

Of course, I spent about 3 straight days Googling for all of the information that I could lay my hands on and go so many different and conflicting results. Some say that it will be hard, if not impossible for me to have kids. Some say that I should have it removed. Some say that having it removed may make me infertile because of the scarring on the uterus.

My doctor is terrible, but I am fairly limited as I am military (my husband is, technically, but my healthcare is military) and getting a second opinion won't be easy.

My husband is deployed right now, so I am basically going through this alone as our family's live over 500 miles away.

There are all sorts of things about shrinking them online, but I don't know what to trust. I don't want to start hopping on one foot and spinning in circles at every full moon, but I am willing to change eating habits (and even quit smoking...if I must haha) in an effort to shrink this unwelcome uterine visitor.

Any success stories (or stories about not being able to get pregnant, I am a realist) and information that worked for you/a friend, I would love to hear it. I am feeling so down right now and am lacking my biggest support system.

Thank you!

 

[seoj]

I'm so sorry you have to go through that- especially with a crap doctor! Honestly, having the right doctor can make all the difference. I know getting another opinion isn't easy- but is there any way you could get an appt with a fertlity specialist, so your talking to someone that KNOWS about this stuff? Not sure where you live- I'm in the states, and her, we can go see one as we like (not covered by insurance typcially)- but at least we have the option. If your in the UK- I know there are more regulations around that type of thing- which have to be so frustrating.

I really have no great advise- but I do think being positive helps. Maybe even post something in the TTC forum- there were SO SO many woman with all sorts of fertility issues (like me) when I was TTC and it was so great to have that support. As no one else I knew, at the time, was going through what I went through- as my hubby had 2 reversals and I ended up with low low egg reserve! But after months of TTC- with fertility help we conceive the 2nd month! Even though we were told we had (maybe) a 5% chance BY the fertility expert- so I do think anything is possible- and there are so many options for us these days.

I hope you get some answers soon hun! Sorry I've no better advise

 

[winegums]

From reading your post I take it you're not pregnant? Did the DR say which type of fibroid you have? There are different types and the one to worry about most when TTC is submucous fibroids because studies have shown women with these tend to have trouble conceiving and are more at risk for early miscarriages. Also if the location is close to your cervix it may mean that when you have a baby vaginal birth may be difficult/impossible depending on exact location nearer the end of your pregnancy.

You can conceive with fibroids - but for some women it is more difficult. If you TTC for a while with no success they will probably give you the option of removing the fibroid but bare in mind sometimes they grow back again!

Fibroids usually come up in reproductive years and shrink or disappear after menopause as the presence of estrogen causes them to grow. Which is why they often get bigger, or more grow as you get older.

If you are getting symptoms with the fibroid (some women remain asymptomatic) then you may be offered medication to treat the symtpoms - however if your TTC the medications may not be suitable. Some symtpoms are heavy blood loss in periods, painful periods, abdominal pain, pain during sex, frequent/painful urination.

If you want to remove the fibroid there are a few options - myomectomy is the most common for younger women or women who are planning to have children as it is just removing the fibroids, not the whole uterus. This can be done abdominal or laprascopic depending on size, location etc.

You can conceive after having a myomectomy however if abdominal the scar is like a c-section scar so slight increased chance of uterine rupture if you have a baby but no more risky than someone who has had a section.

If you chose not to have it removed there will be some additional risks in pregnancy depending where the placenta implants including malpresentation, and prelabour rupture of membranes (increased risk of placental abruption and postpartum haemorrhage if fibroid is retroplacental). However studies have shown over 70% of women with large fibroids (over 10cm) and multiple fibroids still go on to have a normal vaginal birth.

Hope this helps somewhat, sorry if my writing is a bit jumbled - lots of info and trying to keep it condensed! x

 

[PCOSMomToTwo]

I have a uterine fibroid. It really depends on the location of the fibroid. Mine never got in the way or caused issues. I was able to carry 2 babies no problem. It's still there and had grown slightly over time.

My obgyn said there's more risks removing it than keeping it there due to scar tissue.