Can Having Fibroids Lead to a Miscarriage?

Having fibroids can lead to a miscarriage, defined as the loss of pregnancy prior to 23 weeks of gestation. Additionally, these non-cancerous uterine tumors can impact your ability to conceive, as well as how you deliver your baby. But managing your fibroids while pregnant, or treating them before or after pregnancy can help reduce your risk.

Can Fibroids Cause a Miscarriage?

Your miscarriage risk may increase when fibroids develop within the cavity of your uterus or in proximity to the endometrial lining. These types of fibroids may impact an embryo’s ability to implant; they could also change the uterine cavity shape; interfere with the growth of your fetus; or cause damage to the endometrium; or interfere with fetal or placental growth. Even so, proper care should be able to prevent a fibroid-related miscarriage.  

Fibroids During Pregnancy: Management and Treatment Options

Most pregnant women will not have to treat their fibroids. But you will likely need close monitoring to ensure that the fibroids don’t increase to a dangerous size during your pregnancy. You should also track fibroid symptoms that may impact your overall health during pregnancy. In rare cases, tumors might be surgically removed during pregnancy. But more often, women will seek fibroid treatment prior to conception or after delivering their babies.

Women who are not pregnant have many fertility-sparing fibroid treatment options. At the Dallas Fibroid Center, we treat these tumors with a minimally-invasive procedure known as Uterine Fibroid Embolization. (You can learn more about pregnancy after UFE if you’re exploring pre-conception treatment options.)

Even if you are pregnant and have untreated fibroids, you shouldn’t worry: while fibroids slightly increase your miscarriage risk, many women enjoy healthy pregnancies with these tumors. And, after you deliver your baby, you can again explore your fibroid treatment options by connecting [/ga-appt-link] with the team at the Dallas Fibroid Center. When we see you in the office, we’ll help you decide if UFE is right for you and your fertility journey.