Patient Education
Do Uterine Fibroids Cause Infertility?
Compassionate care for your vascular health
At Zenith Vascular & Fibroid Center, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for all your vascular needs. Led by esteemed doctors, Dr. Zeni and Dr. Majors, our center is committed to delivering personalized treatment with a focus on your well-being.
Concerned about Uterine Fibroids?
It is true, Fibroids can sometimes cause infertility. Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or on the uterus. Depending on their size, location, and number, fibroids can interfere with a woman’s ability to conceive and maintain a pregnancy. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to better understand how fibroids may be affecting your fertility journey.
Fibroids can affect fertility in several ways – they can distort the shape of the uterus, making it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant and grow. Fibroids can also block the fallopian tubes, preventing the sperm from reaching the egg or the fertilized egg from traveling to the uterus. Additionally, fibroids can interfere with the blood flow to the uterus, which may affect embryo implantation or cause miscarriage.
Take our quiz for personalized guidance
Not sure what your next step should be? Take our short quiz designed to help you assess your symptoms and guide you towards appropriate treatment options. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge and support as you navigate through your healthcare journey.
Guidance tailored to your needs
Our symptom checker is designed to provide you with valuable insights into your condition. By answering a few simple questions, our test will help evaluate your risk level and recommend the next steps towards treating your painful uterine fibroids.
Compassionate support every step of the way
At Zenith Vascular, we understand that dealing with uterine fibroids can be overwhelming. That’s why our team is here to support you with compassionate care throughout your journey towards finding relief from the pain caused by uterine fibroids.
Take control of your health today
Contact us now or use our online symptom checker to take the first step towards understanding and addressing your uterine fibroid symptoms. Our dedicated team is ready to provide you with the guidance and treatment options that best suit your individual needs.
What Are the Benefits of Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a medical treatment that can shrink fibroids in your uterus. We will use specialized techniques to block the blood flow that provides nourishment to your fibroids. This medical treatment can provide you with a number of important benefits after UFE. Studies have shown that once a woman undergoes treatment, the fibroids treated with this method do not typically return once they shrink down.
What Will Happen During My UFE?
We will perform your UFE in our sophisticated outpatient suite here in Memphis, TN. We will start by making an incision into the skin on your upper thigh. Next, we will put a small catheter into your body. We will use an x-ray machine to guide us as we move this catheter through your blood vessels.
Once we have reached your fibroids, we will send embolization spheres into your body. Embolization spheres are very small particles that will block the flow of blood to your uterine fibroids. Over time, blocking your blood flow will cause your fibroids to shrink. As your fibroids become smaller, your heavy periods and other problems will begin to improve.
Symptoms You May Notice at Home
Any concerning symptoms are a clear sign that it’s time to get checked out by a professional. Severe menstrual bleeding and sharp pain in your pelvis can mean a lot of things, and it’s very important to rule out serious or pressing issues.
Fibroids can be tricky to diagnose based on symptoms alone, since the symptoms can vary so widely. Some symptoms are vague, while others are a little more obvious. How many fibroids you have, where they are, and how big they are can all factor into how you experience any symptoms associated with them. Very small fibroids may have no symptoms at all.
Bladder Incontinence
Large fibroids may begin to push up against your bladder. This pressure can make you feel like you have to empty your bladder more often than you used to. This change can be dramatic enough that some patients may find themselves making midnight runs to the bathroom when they used to be able to comfortably sleep through the night.
There can be several causes behind bladder incontinence, but if you find yourself having to wear a menstrual pad to protect yourself from a leaky bladder, or that you’re having to run to the restroom more than you think you should, it may be time to look into uterine fibroids.
Heavy Bleeding
Heavy periods are another symptom that can have many factors behind it. It’s common enough that some women accept their heavy periods as normal for them.
The truth is, if your period is going on for longer than a week, if you’re passing blood clots larger than a quarter, or you’re finding yourself getting anemic during your monthly cycle, that shouldn’t be normal. If other contributing factors are ruled out, fibroids could be to blame.
Infertility and Miscarriage
Smaller fibroids in particular usually will have no effect on your ability to have a healthy pregnancy. In some cases, however, the size or location of the fibroids may interfere with fertility. Fibroids that block either the fallopian tubes or endometrial cavity can make conception more difficult. Large fibroids may also put a patient at greater risk of suffering a miscarriage.
If you have concerns about any interference your fibroids may have with your fertility, we would be happy to consult with you and help you make a call about your best treatment options.
Pain in the Pelvis or During Your Period
Vague, chronic pain in the pelvis is a common complaint with patients suffering from uterine fibroids. This pain is often described as a burning or heaviness in the area. You may notice the pain increase when you’re bending over, exercising, or laying on your stomach.
Even without daily pain, fibroids can act up during your period. Periods shouldn’t be completely debilitating, but so many women are used to pain during their period that they may ignore this symptom. If you have to call in sick or cancel plans regularly due to how painful your period is, you may want to be checked for fibroids.
Painful Sex
When pressure is put on a fibroid, it can cause discomfort or pain. So, when fibroids are found near the cervix, this pain or discomfort may occur during intercourse. As you seek out treatment, changing the position you use during sex to alleviate this pressure may help you be more comfortable.
Don’t Ignore the Symptoms
We know how to shrink fibroids fast without removing the uterus and interrupting your natural homrones. Call when you’re ready for a better comfort level We’re here to help you achieve that. Contact our compassionate team at Zenith Health & Aesthetics of Memphis, TN, today for your consultation.
The fastest and easiest way to get evaluated and treated with uterine fibroid embolization in the Mid South
Find out if you are a candidate for uterine fibroid embolization by scheduling your consultation with Dr. Zeni at Zenith Vascular & Fibroid Center today.