Fibroids Specialist

What are fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are small muscular tumors, which are usually benign, growing on the walls of your uterus. You can have one or many at once. Some of them cause no symptoms, while others cause serious issues and pain you can’t ignore. 

Your fibroids can also range in size. Some are so small you wouldn’t be able to see them with your eyes. Rarely, some are so large they alter the size of your whole uterus and can reach your rib cage. 

Nobody knows what causes fibroids, but they might have some hormonal and genetic factors. Fortunately, you can get treatment for them at South Shore Women's Care when they cause symptoms or complications. 

How do I know if I have fibroids?

The vast majority of fibroids don’t cause any symptoms for women. If you have fibroids with no symptoms, you probably won’t know you have them unless Dr. Fomitcheva detects them during a routine pelvic exam at South Shore Women's Care. 

If you have symptoms, the size and number of fibroids you have can influence them. Possible symptoms are:

• Heavy periods
• Pain during sex
• Low back pain
• A feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen
• A visibly enlarged lower abdomen
• Frequent urination
• Constipation

You should visit South Shore Women's Care if you have any of the above symptoms, unusually prolonged periods, or bleeding between periods. Symptoms like these can come from other causes, but you should get a diagnosis to be sure. Dr. Fomitcheva can use ultrasound imaging to confirm your diagnosis. 

How are fibroids treated?

There are many treatment options for uterine fibroids. Whether or not you need treatment at all depends on the size of the fibroids and the severity of your symptoms. If you have fibroids with few or no symptoms, Dr. Fomitcheva recommends a watchful waiting approach. 

Certain medications and procedures are available to shrink or remove problematic fibroids. Dr. Fomitcheva might recommend:

• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists
• A progesterone intrauterine device (IUD)
• Uterine artery embolization
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Laparoscopic myomectomy
• Hysteroscopic myomectomy

You may consider endometrial ablation to stop heavy bleeding associated with fibroids, but it does not remove them.

Many procedures available for fibroids are minimally invasive, meaning they require few or no incisions and faster healing than traditional surgeries. Dr. Fomitcheva creates a one-of-a-kind treatment plan for your fibroids that caters to your individual needs. 

Uterine fibroids are highly common and usually not a big cause for concern. To get an evaluation of your fibroids, book an appointment over the phone or online at South Shore Women's Care today.