Fibroids Specialist

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are growths that develop in or on the uterine walls. These growths are noncancerous and range in size from approximately the size of a pea to the size of a grapefruit, and in rare cases, may be much larger. While uterine fibroids are benign, they cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms ranging from heavy and painful periods to infertility.

What symptoms indicate the presence of fibroids?

Women who have fibroids may experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms that can disrupt their normal daily activities. The most common symptom is heavy, painful periods. Heavy periods are defined as necessitating a change of tampon or sanitary pad on an hourly basis for several consecutive hours. Heavy periods also may be accompanied by severe cramping that can prevent a woman from participating in regular daily activities. Women with fibroids may also experience swelling and distension in the abdomen. It is also common for a woman with fibroids to urinate frequently because of extra pressure placed on the bladder. Additionally, fibroids are associated with fertility issues including difficulty in becoming pregnant, high-risk pregnancies, and an increased risk for cesarean delivery. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, make an appointment with Dr. Patterson. He provides compassionate care to diagnose the condition causing discomfort and effective treatment to reduce pain and heal the body.

How are fibroids treated?

Dr. Patterson offers a variety of treatments for fibroids, depending on the specific need of each individual patient. He may perform a hysteroscopy to see inside the uterus to fully diagnose uterine fibroids and to determine the size of the growths. Once he understands the extent of the fibroids, Dr. Patterson suggests appropriate treatment. He offers endometrial ablation services, which apply intense and specifically directed heat to the interior walls of the uterus, an effective and minimally invasive method of removing fibroids. In other cases, Dr. Patterson may suggest laparoscopic myomectomy. During this procedure, Dr. Patterson makes a couple of small incisions in the abdomen and then uses specially designed instruments, including a laparoscope, to excise and remove the fibroids. In rare cases, a hysterectomy may be necessary to fully remove a patient’s fibroids. This option is only used in very severe cases.