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Fibroids Advanced fibroid treatment

Approximately 60-80 percent of women will have fibroids by the time they reach menopause. Most fibroids do not cause any symptoms, but sometimes treatment — and possibly surgery — is needed. Our experts will be right alongside you no matter your situation.

Overview

Fibroids

Uterine fibroids, or myomas, make life difficult for many women.

Along with causing pain and pressure, they may keep you from doing the things you enjoy. They can prevent you from becoming pregnant. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with fibroids. At UW Health, we offer advanced fibroid treatments and a full range of women’s health services. Working with you, our team creates a treatment plan tailored to your needs. We address the challenges fibroids bring so you can get back to living the life you want to live.

Symptoms and diagnosis

What are the symptoms of fibroids?

Getting help begins with knowing the signs and symptoms and getting the right diagnosis.

Signs and symptoms

Fibroids don’t always cause problems. But when they do, signs and symptoms can include:

  • Anemia or low blood counts

  • Frequent urination

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding

  • Infertility

  • Low back pain

  • Pain during sex

  • Painful periods

  • Pregnancy complications

  • Pressure in your pelvic area

Often your doctor can tell whether you have fibroids by doing a pelvic exam. Sometimes we use ultrasound or other imaging tests as well. In rare cases, doctors may also perform a biopsy to see if cancer is present. Cancerous fibroids are very uncommon.

Meet our team

Rely on our expertise and experience

At UW Health, highly trained experts will provide your care. Our team includes fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons who perform robotic procedures, fellowship-trained fertility specialists and others who focus on fibroid removal without surgery. Their combined knowledge and skill put you in very good hands.

Our providers

Treatments and research

We’ve got solutions, you’ve got options

We offer medical and surgical options to address symptoms and fibroid removal. Your treatment will depend on how your fibroids affect you, your preferences and your desire to have children. We’ll listen attentively to understand your needs and find the treatment that’s best for you.

Medical treatment

Several medications might help decrease menstrual bleeding, reduce symptoms and offer you relief.

Blocks estrogen and progesterone hormones. This may lessen menstrual flow and temporarily shrink fibroids.

A non-hormonal treatment that decreases menstrual flow. It’s used on the heaviest days of your period.

Surgical treatment

If you’re having trouble getting pregnant because of fibroids, surgery might be the best option for you. We also could recommend surgery if you have severe pain or bleeding that doesn’t get better with medication. In many cases, we do minimally invasive surgery with robotic technology. These types of surgeries make use of small incisions that allow you to recover more quickly. Many women go home the same day.

Removal of your uterus. It’s the only way to guarantee that fibroids don’t come back.

Removal of your fibroids without complete removal of your uterus. This allows you to get pregnant in the future.

Allows doctors to see your uterus with a tiny camera inserted through your vagina. Small fibroids can sometimes be removed during this procedure.

Shrinks fibroids by blocking their blood supply. It involves threading a thin tube through an artery to deliver particles. They stop blood from reaching your fibroids.

Locations

The services you need, all under one roof

Patient and support services

Answers to common questions