What are fibroids and how do they impact fertility?

Fibroids in the uterus are non-cancerous growths of muscle tissue that generally grow on the lining of the uterus. Medically known as leiomyoma or myoma,fibroid growths can vary in number and size – from a single relatively large growth to multiple growths. Fibroids are more common than one would think and 70-80% of women get fibroids by the time they reach middle age.

What causes fibroids?

The exact cause of uterine fibroids still remains a mystery. Studies have shown that the growth of fibroids is linked to the estrogen hormone. This is obvious because generally fibroids do not develop during the period from puberty to middle age during which time estrogen levels in women are generally high. Fibroids tend to shrink or disappear after menopause as that is when estrogen levels begin to fall.

Although there is no definite cause for fibroids studies have found that women who have had children are less likely to develop fibroids. In some cases it is found that women who reach puberty very early may develop fibroids. It has also been observed that the use of birth control pills is likely to avert growth of fibroids. Of course genetic history plays a vital role in a lot of this.

Symptoms, effects and types of fibroids

Symptoms and effects vary depending on the type of fibroid, although in many cases fibroids may have no effect or symptoms. When symptoms do appear they may include:

• Prolonged and/or heavy menstrual periods
• Bloating or fullness in the belly or pelvis
• Pain in the lower belly or pelvis
• Constipation
• Pain during sex

Fibroids are of different types and are generally classified on the basis of where in the uterus they are growing.

• Myometrial (intramural) fibroids – these grow on the muscular wall of the uterus.
• Submucosal fibroid – these grow under the interior surface of the uterus and can also protrude into the uterus.
• Subserosal fibroids – these are found on the outer wall of the uterus.
• Pedunculated fibroids – these are found to grow outside the uterus.
• Cervical fibroids:that are attached to the cervix.

How do fibroids affect fertility?

Out of all the different type of fibroids, submucosal fibroids ­- which grow under the interior surface of the uterus and also protrude into the uterus ­­­- are found to be the most detrimental to fertility. Because of where and how thee fibroids are located, they tend to distort the shape of the uterus and thus interfere with embryo implantation.
Many women discover they have fibroids when they have trouble conceiving and approach their gynecologist with the problem. Your gynecologist will order investigations to first determine what kind of fibroid you haveand clarify whether the fibroid is coming in the way of a successful conception. Depending on the diagnosis, they may refer you to an infertility specialist.

If a woman is suffering from submucosal fibroids, she will most likely require surgery for removal of fibroids.This is because fibroids that change the shape of the uterine cavity and decrease fertility by about 70% and removal of these fibroids increases fertility drastically. Intramural fibroids – fibroids that lie within the uterine wall and do not affect the shape of the uterine cavity – or cervical and subserosal fibroids do not affect fertility as such but may lead to complications during pregnancy. It is best to have your doctor monitor such fibroids and administer the appropriate treatment in such cases.

If you have been diagnosed with fibroids and have been unable to conceive, feel free to consult award-winning Infertility Specialist Dr. Manika Khanna who has successfully treated hundreds of patients with fibroid-related infertility.

For a Free Second Opinion,click here.

When They Had Lost All Hope: Multiple Failed IVF Cycles followed by the Gift of Motherhood

Synopses of very difficult cases successfully handled by Gaudium where other centres/specialists had failed or given up

In the six years since its inception in 2009, Gaudium Infertility Clinic has emerged as a leading provider of advanced infertility treatment of international standards to childless couples from around the world. Spearheaded by award winning infertility specialist and laparoscopic surgeon Dr. Manika Khanna, Gaudium has helped bring more than 6000 babies into the world.

We are proud to share with you that Gaudium IVF and Gynae Surrogacy Centre has been declaredthe Best IVF and Infertility Hospital in North India at the National Healthcare Achievers Awards 2015

Over the years, Gaudium infertility specialists have successfully treated thousands of women who came to us with history of multiple failed IVF cycles undertaken at other clinics in India and abroad.With specialized treatment protocols and personalized patient care, we have time and again succeeded in helping our patients experience the joy of motherhood.

It’s our honour and privilege to have patients place their trust in us, particularly when they are on the verge of giving up. We are proud to share some of these stories with you.

Landmark success stories with previously failed IVF cycles

Vairaj – hailed as the ‘miracle baby’ born to 55-year-old patient with severe PCOD and 15 failed IVF attempts

When Safla Rani Bhatia and her husband Brij Lal first came to Gaudium, she had undergone fertility treatment at some of the best clinics in India and the UKover a period of 15 years. The patient had severe PCOD, along with hypertension and high blood sugar.After the blood sugar and blood pressure were normalized,she was treated for PCOD and poor endometrial receptivity and was given hormone therapy to restore hormonal balance.

The patient conceived through IVF and delivered a healthy baby boy in 2014.

Blessed with twins after 12 failed IVF cycles

The patient came to our Srinagar centre with history of 12 failed IVF cycles. She conceived twin pregnancy through IVF with the help of our advanced patented techniques, and delivered healthy twin babies.

Multiple failed IVF cycles with fibroids uterus

Patient with 12 years of infertility with 14cm fibroids and multiple failed IVF cycles conceived successfully without removal of fibroidsand delivered a healthy baby at 35 Weeks.

Patient with history of 5 failed IVF cycles

The patient had been married for 14 years and had a history of 5 failed IVF cycles at different centres in Mumbai and Delhi. She underwent IVF at Gaudium,conceived in the second IVF attempt anddelivered a healthy baby.

Patient from Korea with 4 failed IVF attempts

This 41-year-old patient from Korea came to Gaudium with a history of 4 failed IVF cycles. The patient had been married for more than 9 years and had undergone fertility treatment at various clinics in her home country. We gave her quality treatment with customized protocols for IVF and treated her to enhance her endometrial receptivity.

The patient conceived in the first attempt and delivered a healthy baby.

Patient with 2 failed IVF cycles and past ectopic pregnancies

This 37-year-old patient reported to us with history of bilateral ectopic pregnancies for which laparotomy had been done elsewhere. She had been married for 15 years with history of two failed IVF cycles.

The patient underwent IVF at Gaudium and delivered healthy twin babies.

Patient with multiple failed IUI cycles

Patient had Uterus didelphys with one non- communicating cavity. In non-medical terms this means that the patient had double uterus – a congenital defect which frequently leads to high risk pregnancy,premature birth, and multiple pregnancies.

The patient also had a history of multiple unsuccessful IUI cycles.After undergoing IVF at Gaudium the patient conceived and delivered a healthy baby weighing 28 kilograms.

Patient from US with 2 failed IVF attempts and suffering from Primary Amenorrhoea

Primary amenorrhea is a condition where a woman does not get menstrual periods. The patient had been through two failed IVF attempts when she approached Gaudium. Our fertility specialists devised a special IVF protocol through which the patient conceived and delivered a baby at Gaudium IVF.

Patient from Afghanistan with 4 failed IVF cycles

This patient underwent IVF treatment at clinics in Singapore and Pakistan before coming to Gaudium. She was treated for poor endometrial receptivity and her subsequent IVF treatment resulted in successful delivery of her first baby.

These were only a few examples of the challenging cases handled by our internationally trained fertility specialists. Get further guidance on what to do after failed IVF

You may also contact Dr.Manika Khanna at any of our 9 centres for a free second opinion.

Email id.: info@gaudiumivfcentre.com Contact No. : 08527858585, 011-69413434