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Uterine Fibroid Care at GBMC

Uterine Fibroid Center

By the time of menopause, 70 – 80% of women experience uterine fibroids. While many do not have symptoms, others experience a range of associated issues.

GBMC’s multidisciplinary fibroid treatment team consists of OB-GYNs, primary care providers, diagnostic and interventional radiologists, and minimally invasive GYN surgeons. They offer women coordinated care and a full spectrum of medical and surgical options, including hormonal and non-hormonal medications, as well as minimally invasive and fertility-sparing procedures. An emphasis is placed on education about the condition and the best plans of treatment available according to the patient’s individual situation. With focused, easily accessible care, the team works together to provide sophisticated, personalized treatment of uterine fibroids based on each patient’s symptoms and preferences.

 

Fibroid

Symptoms of uterine fibroids include:

  • Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
  • Abnormal bleeding between periods
  • Pelvic pain or pressure
  • Frequent urination
  • Low back pain
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Difficulty getting pregnant, miscarriage, or pre-term birth
Often, an OB-GYN or primary care provider discovers a patient has fibroids during a routine pelvic exam or during a sonogram that is being done for a different reason. Patients who have a family history of fibroids or suspect they may have fibroids should first discuss their history and/or symptoms with their OB-GYN or primary care provider.

What are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors made up of the muscle and connective tissue that originate from the wall of the uterus; they typically occur in women of reproductive age. African American women are more susceptible to fibroids as are women with a family history. While they do not have the potential to become malignant, fibroids can cause a wide range of bothersome symptoms, ranging from pain, pressure, anemia, and infertility. In many cases, however, women who have uterine fibroids experience very mild symptoms or none at all. Fibroids may shrink some with menopause and its associated decrease in hormone levels. 

After noting a possible fibroid during a physical exam, the OB-GYN or primary care provider may refer the patient for an ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to further assess whether the mass is a fibroid and its exact location and dimensions. 

The course of fibroid treatment depends on each individual case. If fibroids are not causing symptoms, the OB-GYN or primary care provider may recommend no treatment and simply keep a watchful eye on the fibroids. If fibroids are confirmed and are causing pain or other complications, the provider and patient may wish to consider medical or surgical treatments. 

 

Treatment Plans Tailored to the Patient

The multidisciplinary fibroid treatment team at GBMC develops individualized care plans for patients, offering a range of nonsurgical and surgical options. Team members take into consideration the severity of symptoms caused by the fibroids, a woman’s concerns regarding surgery, her individual risks with possible surgery, and her reproductive plans for the future.

  • Medical Therapies 
    There are a number of both hormonal and non-hormonal medical options available to treat the symptoms of fibroids.
  • Procedural Treatments
    GBMC’s multidisciplinary team offers several procedures to treat fibroids, including Uterine Artery Embolization, Myomectomy, Hysterectomy, etc.