Can Fibroids Increase the Risk of Miscarriage?

We often have women who have been told they have fibroids and approximately 20%, or 1 out of five, women of reproductive age do have fibroids. They are almost always benign growths of uterine muscle that will shrink after menopause. They can cause symptoms and not cause any symptoms at all. They usually don’t require hysterectomy but some doctors will do a hysterectomy to relieve symptoms. Sometimes they can be removed without doing a hysterectomy. Doctors have told women that they are supposed to increase the risk of miscarriage and I am one of them. A recent study (Leiomyomas in pregnancy and Spontaneous abortion Obstetrics Gynecology 2017; 130(5): 1065-1072) proves that what we have been telling patients is not true. There is no increased risk of miscarriage with fibroids.