Can Fibroids Affect Your Ability to Get Pregnant?

If you've been diagnosed with fibroids while trying to conceive, one question is probably on your mind: will this affect my chances of getting pregnant? The honest answer is that it depends — mainly on where the fibroids are located, rather than simply whether you have them.

Why location matters more than size

Not all fibroids affect fertility the same way. The uterine cavity — where an embryo implants and a pregnancy grows — is the key area of concern. Fibroids that distort or intrude into this cavity are more likely to interfere with implantation, while fibroids elsewhere on the uterus often have little to no impact.

Submucosal fibroids

These grow just beneath the uterine lining and are the type most consistently linked to fertility difficulties, since they can directly disrupt the implantation site or the uterine cavity's shape.

Intramural fibroids

These grow within the uterine muscle wall. Larger intramural fibroids, especially those that distort the cavity, may have some impact on fertility, though smaller ones often don't.

Subserosal fibroids

These grow on the outer surface of the uterus and generally have the least effect on fertility, since they don't typically involve the uterine cavity.

How fibroids may affect conception

• Changing the shape of the uterine cavity, which can make implantation more difficult.
• Blocking a fallopian tube opening, in less common cases.
• Affecting blood flow to the uterine lining.
• Increasing the risk of miscarriage in some cases, particularly with submucosal fibroids.

What the evaluation process typically looks like

A healthcare professional will usually assess fibroid size, number, and location — often with a pelvic ultrasound, sometimes with additional imaging like a saline sonogram or MRI — before advising on next steps. This assessment is what actually determines whether treatment is recommended, not the mere presence of fibroids.

Treatment choices when you want to get pregnant

If treatment is recommended, your wish to have a baby shapes which options make sense. Not every fibroid treatment is a good fit when you are trying to conceive. Options a doctor may discuss include:

• Watchful waiting. If your fibroids are small and do not touch the uterine cavity, many providers suggest simply trying to conceive while keeping an eye on things.
• Hysteroscopic removal. Fibroids that bulge into the cavity can often be removed through the cervix with a thin camera, with no cuts on the belly.
• Myomectomy. This surgery removes fibroids and keeps the uterus in place. It may be done through small cuts or a larger incision, depending on the fibroids.
• Medications. Some medicines can ease bleeding or shrink fibroids for a time. Many of them stop ovulation while you take them, so they are usually short term for people trying to conceive.

Some procedures, such as endometrial ablation or hysterectomy, are not suitable if you want a future pregnancy. After surgery, your provider will usually advise how long to wait before trying, to give the uterus time to heal. Ask about this early so you can plan.

What if you get pregnant with fibroids?

Many people with fibroids have healthy pregnancies and babies. Most fibroids do not change much during pregnancy, though some grow a little in the first trimester. Some people feel pain or pressure as the uterus stretches.

Large fibroids, or fibroids in certain spots, can slightly raise the chance of things like the baby lying in a breech position, early labor or needing a cesarean birth. Your prenatal care team can keep track of your fibroids with routine ultrasounds and plan with you. Letting them know about your fibroids from the first visit is helpful.

Practical steps while trying to conceive with fibroids

1. Get a clear picture. Ask for your ultrasound report and note the size, number and location of each fibroid.
2. Track your cycle. Knowing when you ovulate helps you time sex in your fertile window. Our ovulation calculator can help you estimate it.
3. Watch your iron. If your periods are heavy, ask for an iron check. Feeling strong and well nourished helps you as you prepare for pregnancy. Learn more in our guide to fibroids and heavy periods.
4. Build steady habits. Balanced meals, regular movement, good sleep and limiting alcohol support your general health before pregnancy.
5. Take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid. This is advised for anyone trying to conceive, with or without fibroids.
6. Include your partner. A semen analysis is a simple test, and checking both partners gives the fullest picture.

When to see a fertility specialist

General advice is to see a provider if you have been trying for 12 months and are under 35, or for 6 months if you are 35 or older. With known fibroids, it can make sense to go sooner. This is especially true if you have very heavy periods, a fibroid that reaches into the uterine cavity, or more than one pregnancy loss. Early answers can save you time and worry.

Supporting your body while you navigate this

Whether or not fibroids are affecting your specific fertility picture, supporting your overall reproductive health foundation is a reasonable step while you work with a healthcare professional. AGO Tumor is formulated to help support the health foundation of women managing fibroids, and AGO Eva supports general gynecologic wellness as part of a broader care routine.

For more on the symptoms and types of fibroids, see our fibroids 101 guide.