Abstract
Uterine leiomyomata develop during the reproductive years and may interfere with fertility through mechanisms as yet not fully understood. A developing intramural or large submucosal leiomyoma causes hypertrophy of the myometrium. Conservative myomectomy, as opposed to hysterectomy, is the preferred surgical procedure for patients who wish to preserve their fertility. Ten patients were ultrasonographically evaluated at monthly intervals foltowing myomectomy and the changes in uterine (myo-metrial) volume were assessed. There was a gradual decrease in uterine volume in all patients during the six months following removal of intramural and submucosal leiomyomata. The most remarkable decrease in size occurred during the initial two to three months for the majority of the patients. The impact of this process on fertility should be further evaluated. One of the intriguing questions is whether the period of uterine shrinkage represents the time of the healing process during which conception should be prevented.
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