IMR Press / CEOG / Volume 49 / Issue 1 / DOI: 10.31083/j.ceog4901018
Open Access Systematic Review
Uterine fibroids and infertility: a controverse but concrete link
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1 Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11103 Belgrade, Serbia
2 School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11103 Belgrade, Serbia
3 Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Narodni Front, 11103 Belgrade, Serbia
4 University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11103 Belgrade, Serbia
5 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and CERICSAL (CEntro di RIcerca Clinico SALentino), "Veris delli Ponti Hospital", 73100 Lecce, Italy
6 Division of Experimental Endoscopic Surgery, Imaging, Technology and Minimally Invasive Therapy, Vito Fazzi Hospital, 73100 Lecce, Italy
7 Laboratory of Human Physiology, Phystech BioMed School, Faculty of Biological & Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia
*Correspondence: radmila@rcub.bg.ac.rs (Radmila Sparić)
Academic Editor: Michael H. Dahan
Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol. 2022, 49(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.ceog4901018
Submitted: 28 July 2021 | Revised: 20 October 2021 | Accepted: 3 November 2021 | Published: 13 January 2022
Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Background: Uterine fibroids (UFs) are the most common female benign tumors linked to significant morbidity. There are large literature data connecting UFs with infertility and adverse pregnancy outcome. In this research, authors reviewed literature on UFs, analyzing their relationship with infertility, influence of different therapeutic approaches of UFs on fertility and the possible mechanisms related to UFs and infertility. Methods: MEDLINE and PubMed search, during the years 1990–2020 was performed using a combination of keywords on such topic. Peer-reviewed, systematic review, meta-analysis and prospective trials, examining relationship between UFs and infertility were included in this investigation. According to authors evaluation, additional articles were also identified from the retrieved papers references and included in this narrative review. Results: UFs, especially the submucous and intramural types, with related treatments are linked to impairment of fertility and adverse pregnancy outcome, but many data are conflicting. Molecular mechanisms investigations could explain relationship between UFs and infertility. Conclusion: UFs are linked to infertility and interventions improve fertility. However, many studies conflict in the final results, so further investigations on UFs and infertility should clarify the exact role of molecular mechanisms of this association.

Keywords
Uterine fibroids
Leiomyomas
Fertility
Pregnancy
Myomectomy
In vitro fertilization
Pregnancy rate
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