Intramural Leiomyomas and Fertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate fertility outcomes based on size and number of intramural leiomyomas and outcomes after removal.

Data sources: Online searches: MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov , PubMed, Cochrane Library, and PROSPERO Library from 1994 to 2023.

Methods of study selection: A total of 5,143 studies were identified, with inclusion of 13 study groups.

Tabulation, integration and results: Outcomes for size and number of leiomyomas were reported with clinical pregnancy rates and ongoing pregnancy or live-birth rates. In data sets with maximum leiomyoma diameters of less than 6 cm for study inclusion, women with leiomyomas smaller than 3 cm had lower clinical pregnancy rates than women without leiomyomas, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.53 (95% CI, 0.38-0.76) and, for ongoing pregnancy or live-birth rates, an OR of 0.59 (95% CI, 0.41-0.86). The ORs for clinical pregnancy rates in women with intermediately-sized leiomyomas (those between 3 cm and 6 cm) were lower than in women without leiomyomas, with an OR at 0.43 (95% CI, 0.29-0.63) and, for ongoing pregnancy or live-birth rates, an OR at 0.38 (95% CI, 0.24-0.59). In data sets without exclusion for women with larger-sized leiomyomas, clinical pregnancy rates were lower for those with leiomyomas smaller than 5 cm compared with those without leiomyomas, with an OR of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.58-0.96). Women with leiomyomas larger than 5 cm showed no differences in clinical pregnancy rate compared with women without leiomyomas, with an OR of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.32-1.58). Although women with a single leiomyoma in any location had no differences in outcomes, those with more than one leiomyoma had lower clinical pregnancy rates and ongoing pregnancy or live-birth rates, with an OR of 0.62 (95% CI, 0.44-0.86) and 0.57 (95% CI, 0.36-0.88), respectively. The clinical pregnancy rate for women undergoing myomectomy for intramural leiomyomas was no different than those with intramural leiomyomas in situ, with an OR of 1.10 (95% CI, 0.77-1.59).

Conclusion: Even small intramural leiomyomas are associated with lower fertility; removal does not confer benefit. Women with more than one leiomyoma in any location have reduced fertility.