Remove fibroids or not?

[TuEpicure]

I am three weeks away from my 42 birthday.

I have a fibroid which measures about 4cm. I just switched to a new Fertility Clinic and in my first consultation with the doctor, I was told that he would recommend surgery to remove the fibroid before I resume my efforts to conceive. (I went through two rounds of IUI with clomid and donor sperm in January and March 2008.)

He also said that my high FSH score (12.8 on day 3 of clomid challenge in January 2007 and 8 on day 3 in January 2008 after several months of acupuncture and fertility herbs -- which he totally discounted because it's the worst score that "counts") would lead him to suggest that I need to consider donor eggs because "the ovaries are not working anymore." Further evidence of this he said is the fact that my cycles are about 24-26 days ("your period is not long enough").

I am reluctant to do any surgeries at this point. While my periods are heavy and uncomfortable, I can tolerate the situation. Given my age and scores, I feel that time is of the essence and I need to not risk delays due to surgical procedures.

Anyone have any advice??

K.

[carpediemforlife]

I am pregnant with 2 fibroids the largest being 4 and its not affecting my uterus or fallopian tubes.  I would ensure that the location of your fibroids isnt affecting anything.  My dr is measuring them with my sonograms to ensure they are not getting larger and they havent at this point.  I will be 10 wks in Mon.  So as long as you are both aware and they are being watched I dont see how it should be an issue.

[dainsey]

I also had the HSG test and I had the water ultrasound (think it's call a sonohystegram) where they fill your uterus up with water to expand it to see if the fibroids are impeding into the cavity.  Everything showed that they weren't going to be a problem...Mine weren't in the way of the fallopian tubes either.
Sounds like you can leave them alone but that's just my opinion....We'll be trying for #2 in about 5 months and hopefully they won't bother me this time either.  Good luck!!

[Tennesseegirl]

I am pregnant with two of them... they were alittle concerned at first but.. no problems so far... I will be 37w wednesday..I fill one of them when the baby moves alot.. but its not bad at all.
hope that helps.

[TuEpicure]

No, this doctor did not tell me (and he was only looking at paper medical files and had not done an examination himself). My previous doctor had an HSG exam done (I think that's what it's called) and upon reviewing the results didn't think that I needed to have the fibroid removed because they were not blocking the fallopian tubes.

[dainsey]

I have 5 fibriods with the largest one measuring 5 cm and I just had a little girl last month.  My fibroids didn't bother me at all during the pregnancy...they never grew either...The three re's that I saw said that if they are not in the cavity or impeding into the cavity of your uterus that you should leave them alone as the surgery can cause scarring and a lot of other problems.  Yet I know girls that have had the surgery and they were ok...I know it's a very difficult decision...Did your RE tell you where the fibroids are located?