Submucosal leiomyomas and infertility.

Seventeen patients with primary (59%) or secondary (41%) infertility and evidence of at least 1 large (greater than or equal to 5 cm) submucosal leiomyoma underwent abdominal myomectomy . In all patients, no other cause of infertility could be found. Following surgery, 2 of the 17 patients elected to use contraception. Thirteen of the 15 patients wishing to establish a pregnancy had 10 or more months of sexual exposure. The overall pregnancy rate was 47%, and 53% of those patients attempting to establish a pregnancy conceived. The corrected pregnancy rate for those with adequate sexual exposure for at least 10 months was 61.5%. Of those women who attained a pregnancy, 63% did so within 11 months after surgery. Only one patient conceived after more than 3 years (38 months). These results suggest that submucosal leiomyomas are a possible cause of infertility and are highly amenable to surgical treatment and subsequent restoration of fertility.