Correct Answer: A. Myomectomy
Intramural fibroids at the cornual ends (7×5 cm and 5×3 cm) causing infertility in a woman with normal partner semen analysis require myomectomy as the definitive management. The cornual location is critical: these fibroids distort the endometrial cavity and obstruct the fallopian tube ostia, preventing sperm transport and embryo implantation. According to Indian guidelines (IAP, FOGSI consensus), fibroids >4 cm causing cavity distortion warrant surgical removal before ART. Myomectomy restores normal uterine anatomy, improves endometrial blood flow, and allows spontaneous conception. The intramural location (within myometrium) makes hysteroscopic resection unsuitable; laparoscopic or open myomectomy is indicated. Size and location—not just presence—determine fertility impact; these large cornual fibroids are unequivocally fertility-compromising. Post-myomectomy, 40–60% of infertile women conceive spontaneously within 12 months in Indian series. The normal semen analysis excludes male factor, making uterine pathology the sole addressable cause.
Why the other options are wrong
B. Uterine artery embolization — UAE is a fertility-sparing option for symptomatic fibroids (heavy menstrual bleeding, pain) in women who have completed childbearing or wish to avoid surgery. However, it is contraindicated in infertile women because it reduces uterine blood flow, impairs endometrial receptivity, and decreases ovarian reserve. Indian fertility guidelines recommend myomectomy over UAE for women seeking conception. UAE is a second-line option only if myomectomy is refused or medically contraindicated. C. GnRH analogues — GnRH agonists (leuprolide, goserelin) cause fibroid shrinkage by 40–50% through hypogonadism but are temporary and reversible—fibroids regrow within 6 months of stopping therapy. They are used preoperatively to reduce fibroid size and blood loss during myomectomy, or as a bridge in symptomatic women. They do NOT treat infertility and cannot be used as monotherapy for fertility preservation. This is a common NBE trap: confusing preoperative adjunct with primary treatment. D. Artificial reproductive techniques — ART (IVF/ICSI) bypasses the mechanical obstruction but does NOT address the underlying uterine pathology. Large intramural fibroids reduce implantation rates and increase miscarriage risk even with ART. Indian fertility guidelines recommend myomectomy first to optimize uterine environment. ART is reserved for cases where myomectomy is contraindicated, failed, or combined with other infertility factors. Jumping to ART without correcting a correctable anatomical defect is suboptimal practice.
High-Yield Facts
- Cornual fibroids >4 cm distort the endometrial cavity and obstruct fallopian tube ostia—direct indication for myomectomy in infertile women.
- Intramural location requires laparoscopic or open myomectomy; hysteroscopic resection is only for submucosal fibroids.
- GnRH agonists shrink fibroids temporarily (40–50%) and are used preoperatively to reduce blood loss, not as primary fertility treatment.
- UAE is contraindicated in infertility due to reduced endometrial perfusion and ovarian reserve; reserved for symptomatic women who have completed childbearing.
- Post-myomectomy conception rate is 40–60% within 12 months in infertile women with normal partner semen analysis (Indian series).
- Fibroid size and location matter more than presence alone—small submucosal fibroids may not affect fertility; large intramural/cornual fibroids always do.
Mnemonics
FIBROID FERTILITY RULE Submucosal <4 cm = Hysteroscopic resection; Intramural >4 cm = Myomectomy; Cornual = Always myomectomy; ART = Last resort after surgery fails. Use this to decide fibroid management in infertility. GnRH = BRIDGE, NOT CURE GnRH agonists shrink fibroids temporarily (preop adjunct) but regrow after stopping. Never use alone for infertility—always pair with myomectomy if fertility is the goal.
NBE Trap
NBE pairs large fibroids with "fertility-sparing" options (UAE, GnRH) to trap students who confuse symptom relief with fertility restoration. The key discriminator is cornual location + infertility + normal semen analysis = myomectomy is mandatory, not optional.
Clinical Pearl
In Indian fertility clinics, a 30-year-old with normal partner semen analysis and large cornual fibroids is a classic case for myomectomy before ART—skipping surgery and jumping to IVF wastes time, money, and reduces success rates. Post-myomectomy, many women conceive naturally within 6–12 months, avoiding the cost and emotional burden of ART.
_Reference: DC Dutta's Textbook of Gynaecology (7th ed.), Ch. 11 (Uterine Fibroids); FOGSI Guidelines on Management of Fibroids in Infertility (2019)_