Most women do not experience any symptoms of fibroids. However, in rare cases, fibroids can cause significant complications.
Complications can occur as a result of the positioning of fibroids, and in cases where they are very large. Some possible complications are outlined below.
During pregnancy
During pregnancy, levels of the female reproductive hormone, oestrogen, can increase by as much as five times the normal amount. As fibroids are thought to develop due to high oestrogen levels, this may lead to complications with the development of the baby, or cause problems during labour.
In very rare cases, fibroids can cause miscarriage (the loss of pregnancy during the first 23 weeks). Your GP or midwife will be able to give you further information and advice if you have fibroids and you are pregnant.
Infertility
Infertility (the inability to become pregnant) may occur in cases where a woman’s fibroids are very large. Large fibroids can sometimes prevent a fertilised egg attaching itself to the lining of the womb, although this is rare.
If you have a submucosal fibroid (which grows from the muscle wall into the cavity of your womb) it may block a fallopian tube, making it harder for you to become pregnant. The ovaries (female reproductive organs) release eggs that pass down the fallopian tubes that connect the ovaries to the womb.
