If you are considering having a child and have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, you may be wondering if you will have fertility problems.

What you do not want is to go through months of trying to conceive, only to be unsuccessful and to then learn that you could have done something about it.

Fibroids do sometimes affect pregnancy, but certainly not always. Some women will conceive normally and go through their pregnancy with no complications at all, whereas for others, the situation is very different.

Uterine fibroids are more common in women in their thirties or forties and can sometimes cause infertility.

The growing tendency for women to have children later in life is the reason why fibroids are becoming a greater factor than before.

There is little information around to teach women how to shrink fibroids, but they will reduce naturally during the menopause.

In general, there is a known list of possible complications and issues and these are:-

• Fibroids can cause obstruction, blocking the cervix. Fibroids can also block the entrance to the fallopian tubes. This can cause problems with the passage of sperm and also delivery problems. The larger the fibroids, the greater the potential problems.
• Fibroids located within the womb lining can cause the uterine lining to distort and cause a very early miscarriage.
• “Unexplained infertility” is also an issue for many women with fibroids, even though after a scan has revealed that there is no particular reasons for any problems.

Whilst there certainly can be a connection between uterine fibroids and fertility problems, it should be remembered that most women will go on to have normal pregnancies, however, if you know you have fibroids and would like to minimize the impact, why not consider some form of natural fibroid treatment rather than going through potentially dangerous surgery, which may not resolve the problem.

Uterine fibroids are growths within the uterus, usually non-cancerous, affecting millions of women each year.

For some, they cause no symptoms and they aren’t even aware that they have them but for many others, theiy can cause a variety of symptoms, which left untreated, can cause severe problems for the patient.

The main symptoms which might signal a fibroid problem are:

• Menstrual problems, such as heavy bleeding
• Irregular, painful and longer periods
• Blood clots, and bleeding between periods.

Other symptoms can include:

• Painful intercourse
• Problems with urination and bowel movements
• Digestion and abdominal pressure or fullness.

Secondary problems, such as fatigue and anaemia, can occur from heavy menstrual bleeding.

Uterine fibroids can also interfere with a woman’s pregnancy.

They can, in some cases, cause miscarriages and premature deliveries.

The cause of fibroids is not known, but the hormone oestrogen seems to play a major role in the development of fibroids.

As long as a woman is having her periods, she can develop fibroid problems although some tend to shrink after menopause, when oestrogen levels start to drop.

If you are having problems and your doctor suspects fibroids, there are some basic tests which can be done to confirm their diagnosis.

A pelvic exam may yield some information however, in a suspected case of fibroids, a trans vaginal or pelvic ultrasound may be a very useful tool in diagnosing the problem. A pelvic MRI might also be needed.

Fibroid teatment options vary depending on several things such as: the location of the fibroids, the age and general health of the patient, and whether the patient is wanting to have children in the future.

Non-surgical treatments usually start with the use of birth control pills, which are used to control heavy bleeding. Hormone therapy is used to try and shrink the fibroids. Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen can be used for the cramping and pain experienced by some fibroid sufferers.

For some women, surgery might be the only option, especially if the fibroids are cancerous.

If you have any changes in your menstrual cycle, please consult your family doctor.

Also consult your doctor before making any dietary or supplement changes, especially if you are on any prescribed medications. It is always better to be safe than sorry, especially with your health.