Fibroids Specialist

North County Women's Specialists

OB-GYNs located in Escondido, CA & San Marcos, CA

It’s estimated that uterine fibroids affect 20-50% of women of reproductive age, making them the most common gynecologic tumor. Fibroids aren’t cancerous, but they can grow large enough to cause significant pain and heavy bleeding. The doctors at North County Women’s Specialists have helped many women get relief from their symptoms, and they’re experts in several minimally invasive procedures to remove fibroids. To schedule an appointment, use the online booking feature or call our office in Escondido or San Marcos, California.

Fibroids Q & A

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in the muscles that line your uterus. In rare cases, they may grow in the uterine lining or outside your uterus.

You can have fibroids that are too small to be detected during a routine gynecology exam. They can also become quite large.

Some fibroids grow rapidly, while others develop slowly over the years. You may have multiple fibroids that each grow at their own pace.

What symptoms will I develop from fibroids?

Small fibroids may not cause any symptoms. As fibroids enlarge, you may experience:

Pelvic pain
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Longer-than-normal menstrual periods
Bleeding between periods
Frequent urination
Lower back pain

These symptoms may also signal a variety of other gynecologic problems that should be accurately diagnosed and treated. If you develop ongoing or severe pain or abnormal bleeding, schedule an appointment for a gynecologic exam.

How are fibroids treated?

Fibroid treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms, the size of your fibroids, and your overall health. When your symptoms are mild and you’re healthy, your doctor at North County Women’s Specialists may recommend watchful waiting.

It’s safe to monitor your fibroids without starting treatment because small fibroids don’t usually interfere with pregnancy, and they don’t cause cancer.

Your doctor may prescribe medications to control heavy bleeding, relieve pain, or help shrink your fibroids. An intrauterine device containing progestin may also diminish bleeding.

When conservative treatment doesn’t relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend interventions such as:

Uterine fibroid embolization

Your doctor threads a flexible tube through arteries to the blood vessels serving the fibroids, then injects medication that blocks blood flow. Without blood, the fibroids shrink.

Myomectomy

Myomectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to remove fibroids while leaving your uterus intact. Depending on the location of your fibroids, your doctor may perform a laparoscopy to reach fibroids through small incisions in your abdomen, or a hysteroscopy, which accesses fibroids through your vagina.

Hysterectomy

If you’re sure you don’t want to have more babies and your fibroid symptoms are severe, your doctor may perform a minimally invasive hysterectomy to remove your uterus.

If you develop symptoms such as pelvic pain and bleeding, call North County Women’s Specialists or book an appointment online.

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