Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the wall of the uterus. Fibroids often appear during the childbearing years. Some studies show that up to two-thirds of women will have fibroids by menopause, although not all of them will experience symptoms.

Uterine fibroids can cause serious quality-of-life issues. Symptoms may include:

• Abnormal bleeding.
• Pain.
• Pressure in the abdomen.
• Problems getting pregnant or staying pregnant.

Your treatment options will depend on several factors, including:

• The severity of your symptoms.
• The size and growth rate of your fibroids.
• Whether you want to get pregnant or not.

Some options to reduce your symptoms may include:

• Lifestyle and dietary changes.
• Anti-inflammatory medicines.
• Birth control pills or an IUD (intrauterine device).

Sometimes a procedure or surgery is the best option for treating uterine fibroids. It’s important to choose a team with specialists in women’s health, minimally invasive surgery, and interventional radiology that can provide you with the latest treatments.

Our experienced team will help you choose a treatment that works for your condition and lifestyle. We’ll find the least-invasive option for you to decrease your recovery time.

Uterine fibroid embolization

During this nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedure, the doctor threads a thin tube into the blood vessels that supply blood to the fibroids. Small beads are injected into the blood vessels. The beads cut off the blood supply to the fibroids and shrink them.

Also called uterine artery embolization, this procedure results in little or no scarring, less pain, and a much quicker recovery time than traditional surgery. You can usually go back to your normal routine in several days.

Laparoscopic myomectomy

This minimally invasive surgical removal of fibroids from the uterus is a good option for women who want to get pregnant in the future. The doctor makes several small incisions in the abdomen. The doctor then inserts a laparoscope — a thin tube with a tiny video camera — into the abdomen. A small surgical instrument is also inserted. The camera helps guide the doctor in removing the fibroids.  

This procedure will result in several small scars. Patients may need to stay in the hospital overnight, and recovery may take several weeks.

Hysteroscopic myomectomy

A small instrument is threaded through the vagina and cervix and into the uterus. The doctor uses this instrument to remove the fibroids from the inside of the uterus. A hysteroscopic myomectomy is only useful for women who do not have fibroids embedded in their uterus.

Patients can go home on the same day as the procedure. There are no scars or incisions, and recovery usually takes a few days.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is the only way to completely cure uterine fibroids. When possible, we use laparoscopic hysterectomy, which offers a shorter hospital stay and recovery time than a traditional hysterectomy, which requires a larger incision.

During a laparoscopic hysterectomy, the doctor removes the entire uterus through small incisions in the abdomen. The doctor uses a thin tube called a laparoscope that includes a small video camera to guide the procedure. 

Find out more about uterine fibroid treatment. To make an appointment, call 859-323-0005.