Fibroids Specialist

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are noncancerous tumors in your uterus. Fibroids are the most common tumor seen in the female reproductive organs, but you may not even be aware you have a one. They are often found during a routine gynecological exam.

Fibroids come in various sizes, ranging from as small as a seed to as large as a cantaloupe, and maybe one or many.

Do fibroids cause symptoms?

Many women don’t experience symptoms when they have a fibroid, but that doesn’t mean they don’t cause symptoms in some women.

Common symptoms of fibroids include:

• Increase in girth of your abdomen
• Pain in your back or legs
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than a week
• An increase in urination or feeling like you can’t empty your bladder
• Constipation

What are minimally invasive treatment options for fibroids?

If your fibroid symptoms are disrupting your life, Dr. Fahmy, Dr. Ravikumar and Dr. Roesner may recommend minimally invasive treatments to reduce or destroy the fibroid, including:

• Uterine embolization — treatment that cuts off the blood supply to the fibroid to shrink it
• MR-guided focused ultrasound — uses high-intensity focused ultrasound waves that destroy the fibroid without having any effect on your surrounding tissue

If these minimally invasive procedures are ineffective or not appropriate for you, Dr. Fahmy, Dr. Ravikumar and Dr. Roesner may recommend laparoscopic removal of the fibroid. During a laparoscopic procedure, Dr. Fahmy, Dr. Ravikumar or Dr. Roesner will make a small incision through your abdomen, remove the fibroid from your uterus, cut it into small pieces, and then remove it through another small incision in your abdomen.

What other treatment options are available for fibroids?

While minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery are treatment options for fibroids, Dr. Fahmy, Dr. Ravikumar and Dr. Roesner may recommend nonsurgical treatment too.

If your fibroids aren’t causing symptoms, they may suggest a wait-and-see approach. They may also prescribe medications to help manage symptoms such as heavy bleeding or to reduce discomfort.

Dr. Fahmy, Dr. Ravikumar and Dr. Roesner may recommend traditional surgery, including:

• Open myomectomy — an open surgical procedure to remove the fibroid or fibroids

• Hysterectomy — the removal of your uterus, which is considered the most effective permanent solution for fibroids.

If you’re experiencing symptoms that you suspect may be a fibroid, call the office or book an appointment online for a consultation.