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Uterine Fibroids, Myoma or Leiomyoma
Advanced
Fertility Center of Chicago
Gurnee & Crystal Lake, Illinois
Uterine Fibroids (proper medical terminology is myoma
or leiomyoma)
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Fibroids are very common - they are benign (noncancerous) tumors of the uterine muscle.
The size and location of the fibroid are important. The large majority of them
are very small or located in an area of the uterus such that they will not have
any impact on reproductive function.
There are 3 general
locations for fibroids:
1. Subserosal - on the
outside surface of the uterus
2. Intramural - within the muscular wall of the uterus
3. Submucous - bulging in to the uterine cavity
The only type that will
have any impact on reproductive function (unless it is very large) is the
submucous type that pushes in to the uterine cavity. These are much less common
than the other 2 types of fibroids. Because of their location inside the uterine
cavity, submucous fibroids can cause infertility or
miscarriages.
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Subserosal myoma
Laparoscopic view of a
uterus with a pedunculated posterior myoma (fibroid). This is a subserosal
myoma. A fibroid in this location should not affect chances for pregnancy or miscarriage.
Laparoscopy is a surgery that uses a narrow scope that is put
in through the belly button area
See laparoscopy
(and other) images of fibroids
Intramural myoma
 
Ultrasound view of a uterus with an intramural (within the uterine wall) myoma.
Image on right shows uterus outlined in blue, uterine lining in red, myoma in green.
A fibroid in this location should not affect chances for pregnancy or miscarriage.
 
For comparison; ultrasound images of a uterus with a normal endometrial lining
and no myomas visible. Image
on right shows the uterus outlined in blue and the "triple stripe" uterine lining (landing pad for the
embryos) outlined in yellow.
Submucous myoma
 
Hysterosalpingogram
showing a uterus with a myoma that is pushing in to the cavity. Another myoma on the outside of the uterus is circumscribed by dye along the red line.
The myoma inside the cavity might cause reproductive problems.
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Hysteroscopic view inside a normal uterine cavity
Office hysteroscopy - looking up from cervix at
top of uterine cavity |
Hysteroscopic view of a uterus with 2 submucous
fibroids
They are pushing down into the cavity (rounded bulges at top) |
Related pages:
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