Uterine fibroids and endometrial dysfunction

Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are widely prevalent steroid hormone-dependent benign tumors that cause several female reproductive dysfunctions among them, a restraint to conception and successful outcome of pregnancies. Mounting evidence suggests that leiomyomas have negative influence on endometrial receptivity to blastocyst implantation. Impaired endometrial receptivity is an important contributing factor to implantation failure. This chapter highlights the current information regarding the effects of uterine fibroids on endometrial receptivity and the molecular mechanisms underpinning uterine fibroid pathophysiology and its interaction with determinants of endometrial receptivity. Such information provides insight into the underlying mechanisms of leiomyoma-associated subfertility and provides new venues for basic and translational research. Although the existing data are impressive, many challenges remain and further research is warranted.