Can you get pregnant with fibroids? Yes!

One of the biggest worries of women when they find out they have fibroids is whether they will be able to become pregnant.

The research shows that many women with fibroids who get the right support can go on to get pregnant naturally and have no problems.

Can fibroids affect fertility?

Fibroids can affect fertility, and this is sometimes how women discover they have fibroids when they are struggling to get pregnant.

There are different ways fibroids can affect fertility:

• Blocking the tubes: the ovaries release an egg which has to travel down the fallopian tubes to become fertilised in the womb. If a fibroid blocks the tube it makes it harder for the egg to enter - like closing the door.
• Womb too bulky: if there are fibroids interrupting the muscle wall or inner lining of the womb it can make it an unhappy environment and harder for a pregnancy to settle in (implant).
• Cycle disruption: fibroids can affect the hormone cycles and prolonged periods or erratic cycles can make it difficult to know when ovulation is happening and harder to time things right.
• Anaemia: if fibroids have caused anaemia due to the heavy bleeding, the body detects this and this can make it difficult for the pregnancy to establish.

Getting pregnant with fibroids

The good news is that with the right treatment options discussed with your healthcare team, pregnancy can still happen. Surgery can be really helpful here especially where a fibroid is blocking a tube, and so removing the fibroid literally opens the doors for the egg to find its way through.

Most women are able to become pregnant without needing IVF or fertility treatment once their fibroids are treated, and for some women they can become pregnant without needing surgery to remove the fibroids.

With anyone wanting to become pregnant, making sure you are in the best health you can be can improve your chances. Ensuring you are taking the right vitamins and minerals, caring for yourself and making healthy choices can all improve chances.

Being pregnant with fibroids

Most women will have a smooth pregnancy even if they have fibroids. The womb can be a little more irritable during the pregnancy with women noticing more 'Braxton hicks'. These are minor tightenings and can be felt by a woman for a few seconds but are not painful. Some women notice spotting through the pregnancy. 

It is always important to let your midwife and team know if you are pregnant and have fibroids so they can monitor you more closely through the pregnancy and prepare for the birth.

Medical disclaimer - This information is for education only and is not a diagnosis or medical advice. Heavy bleeding, long periods, bleeding in between periods, or non-stop bleeding should always be checked by a GP or healthcare professional. They can arrange scans or tests to find the cause and discuss the right treatment options for you.

Author, Dr Liz Murray June 2026

References:

• Murray, L. Not Just Painful Periods, 2026, Octopus Publishing
• NICE Guidelines Online, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, April 2023, Health Topics A to Z > Fibroids, https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/fibroids/ (Accessed online, 2026)
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2018) Dysmenorrhoea: ClinicalKnowledge Summary 2014

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2018) Heavy menstrual bleeding:assessment and management