The exact cause of fibroids is unknown, but researchers suspect that estrogen has a role in the growth of aberrant muscle cells that enlarge to become fibroids.

Women who are approaching menopause, overweight, or of African-American heritage have an elevated risk of developing fibroids.

Your doctor finds firm, irregular masses during your routine pelvic exam. Along with your history, symptoms, and examination, she orders a series of diagnostic tests, as needed. These tests may include X-rays, transvaginal ultrasound, an MRI, hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy, and a blood test.

Your doctor rules out other causes, such as anemia or other tumors, before making a diagnosis.

Nonsurgical options for fibroids include medications, like gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH agonists), anti-hormonal agents, and anti-inflammatory pain relievers.

Other conservative treatments include minimally invasive options, like myomectomies and the Accesa™ procedure. Both of these options remove fibroids and spare your uterus, that is, avoid a hysterectomy.

Myomectomy
During a myomectomy, the doctors at Virtuosa GYN utilize laparoscopic robotic surgery to remove smaller or less invasive fibroids.

Acessa procedure
During the Accesa procedure, your doctor makes tiny incisions in your abdomen and then inserts a miniature handpiece that shrinks fibroids using radiofrequency ablation. The Acessa procedure is an outpatient surgery, so you can go home the same day and return to work within one week.

If you’ve completed your family and your fibroid symptoms are severe, your doctor performs a minimally invasive hysterectomy with the da Vinci® robotic system.

If you’re suffering from fibroids, there’s a solution for you at Virtuosa GYN. Call or schedule a consultation online now.