Ask An Expert: Fibroid Tumors and IUDs

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Ask An Expert: Fibroid Tumors and IUDs

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Question:

Can a person with fibroid tumors have an IUD?

Answer:

Fibroid tumors do not absolutely exclude use of an intrauterine device (IUD), though it is a poor contraceptive choice in some women with particular types of fibroids. The IUD is a small plastic device inserted into the cavity of the uterus. It prevents pregnancy by disrupting the environment required for pregnancy to occur.

Fibroids are benign growths of the muscular layer of the uterine wall. Fibroids can grow completely within the wall (intramural fibroids) or the can protrude toward the surface of the uterus (subserosal fibroids) or toward the uterine cavity (submucous fibroids). Submucous fibroids may distort the contour of the uterine cavity. In this situation, an IUD may not be retained or well tolerated. Patients may have excessive cramping and bleeding and in an extreme case, the uterus may expel the device.

A special ultrasound test called sonohysterogram can be done to assess the contours of the uterine cavity. Sterile fluid is injected into the uterus to enhance the images obtained by ultrasound. It may be useful in predicting a poor outcome with an IUD prior to insertion.

Joan Bengtson, M.D., is assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproduction at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

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Last updated:	April 25, 2007
Reviewed By:	Faculty of Harvard Medical School

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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