Fibroids Specialist

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that grow inside or outside of your uterus. Fibroids are composed of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue.

Even though some fibroids start small, they can increase and decrease in size according to your hormonal fluctuations. Fibroids may arise in clusters. Some can grow to the size of a grapefruit or even larger. Larger fibroids may press on your bladder, which can cause you to urinate more frequently.

Why did I get fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are common. Up to 70% of Caucasian women and up to 80% of African-American women develop at least one fibroid by age 50. You may be more likely to get fibroids if:

• A family member has fibroids
• You started your period before age 13
• You’ve never been pregnant
• You’re overweight
• You have high levels of estrogen

Lifestyle choices that may increase your risk include:

• Eating a diet rich in red meats
• Not eating enough vegetables
• Having low levels of Vitamin D
• Drinking alcohol in excess

What are some fibroid symptoms?

Some uterine fibroids are asymptomatic, particularly when they’re small. If your fibroids cause symptoms, you may experience:

• Discomfort or pain in your pelvis
• Abnormal bleeding (heavy or between periods)
• Painful menstruation
• Painful sex
• Frequent urination
• Constipation
• Lower back or leg pain
• Infertility or difficult pregnancy

How do doctors treat symptomatic fibroids?

The medical professionals at The Women’s Centre start with the least invasive therapies for uterine fibroids. You can manage the discomfort of fibroids simply by taking over-the-counter pain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

If you’re not currently trying to become pregnant, your doctor may recommend oral contraceptives that decrease your estrogen levels. You could also opt for an intrauterine device (IUD) that releases the hormone progestin. These measures alleviate fibroid symptoms and prevent pregnancy.

Your doctor may try to shrink the fibroids with Lupron or other drugs. If your fibroids don’t respond to first-line treatments, Dr. Suhas Mantri can remove them surgically. Depending on their location and size, he may recommend the da Vinci® robot-assisted surgical system to facilitate removal and decrease your recovery time.

When you’d like relief from fibroid symptoms or want to improve your chances of conception, contact Dr. Mantri at The Women’s Centre. You can reach his caring staff by phone or online appointment form.