What are the common symptoms of uterine fibroids?

Common symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination, and lower back pain. If you experience these, a consultation with our Atlanta OBGYNs can provide a clear diagnosis.

How are fibroids treated at Oasis Women's Wellness Center?

We offer a range of treatments from medical management and hormone therapy to minimally invasive surgical options, depending on the size and location of the fibroids and your health goals.

Fibroids

Fibroids are quite common, affecting a large percentage of women of reproductive age. In most cases, however, women aren’t even aware they have fibroids because they don’t cause symptoms. At Oasis Women’s Wellness Center in Atlanta, Georgia, Candace Gates, MD, and Crystal Welch, MD, can help if you do experience problems due to symptomatic or large uterine fibroids. Call the office or schedule online if you have symptoms that suggest fibroids or have been diagnosed and need a second opinion about management.

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are noncancerous or benign muscular growths that form on the wall of your uterus. You may hear them referred to as myomas or leiomyomas. Women who have fibroids don’t always know they have them. They vary in size and number but affect anywhere from 20-80% of women by the time they reach age 50.

Frequently Asked Questions

What symptoms suggest I have fibroids?

Fibroids don’t always cause symptoms, which is why the number of women affected is so variable. A fibroid, or fibroids, may be detected during a routine pelvic exam. You may also experience symptoms associated with your fibroids. These symptoms include:

Heavy menstrual flow
Pressure on the bowel or bladder
Enlarged abdomen

Symptomatic fibroids may require additional diagnostic testing, such as an ultrasound or MRI, to determine the size, exact location, and number of fibroids. Oasis Women’s Wellness Center may recommend these tests if you have asymptomatic fibroids, too. This would be to get a baseline and evaluate growth over time.

What are my treatment options for fibroids?

Treatment for your fibroids depends on your symptoms. If you have fibroids that aren’t causing symptoms, your doctor may recommend you have regular monitoring during routine visits. However, if your fibroids are causing you uncomfortable symptoms, you may benefit from treatments, such as:

Low-dose birth control
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists to help shrink the tumor
Surgery to remove the tumor (myomectomy)

The most common reason women have a hysterectomy is due to fibroids. If you have future plans to have children, Oasis Women’s Wellness Center can perform a myomectomy to remove the tumor without affecting your ability to have children.

What can I expect during the removal of my fibroid?

For smaller fibroids, your Oasis Women’s Wellness Center doctor may be able to perform myomectomy using a hysteroscopy. Your doctor uses a special telescope-like tool they insert into your uterus to generate a real-time image. They then use special surgical tools to remove the fibroid. You are under sedation and anesthesia for the procedure. Expect it to take a few days to recover. Even if you do manage fibroids or have them removed, new ones can emerge and grow. If you need information about fibroids management or treatment, call Oasis Women’s Wellness Center or schedule an appointment online.