Do fibroids affect IVF outcomes?

This preliminary report suggests not, unless the fibroids are large and very close to the endometrial cavity. Researchers from New York Presbyterian Hospital compared 74 women with fibroids who were undergoing either in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to a group of women undergoing the same procedures but with no ultrasound evidence of fibroids. The pregnancy rate among women with fibroids was 31%, compared to 42% in the control group (P=0.143). There was, however, a slightly lower pregnancy rate in patients who had larger myomas less than 5 mm from the endometrial stripe (fibroid size varied from 56 mm² to 3,416 mm² ).

Schattman V, Ratushny V, Rosenwaks Z. Effect of uterine leiomyoma on outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Fertil Steril. 2005;84(suppl 1): S154.