Fibroids are harmless for the most part but can cause symptoms like abnormal bleeding or pelvic pressure that disrupt daily life. At Trusted Women’s Health Center in Kendall and Miami, Florida, Sidiq Aldabbagh, MD, FACOG, provides comprehensive care for women with fibroids. Dr. Aldabbagh reviews symptoms, performs diagnostic tests, and creates treatment plans that help manage fibroids and any symptoms they cause. Call the office today or request an appointment online to learn more about treatment for fibroids.
It’s possible to have fibroids and not know it. An estimated 20-80% of women have fibroids at some point during their childbearing years. The wide range in occurrence is because so many women are unaware of having benign muscular tumors.
Fibroids aren’t cancerous and harmless for the most part. You can have a fibroid as small as a pencil eraser or as large as a grapefruit, and you may have one or a cluster of fibroids. The size and number of fibroids may determine symptoms, which include:
Fibroids may also grow and shrink over time, affecting symptoms.
Researchers are still investigating what causes fibroids. They theorize that a combination of factors may play a role. Almost any woman of childbearing age can develop fibroids, but your risk is higher if they run in your family.
Researchers believe fibroids develop from cells that are misplaced before birth and grow in response to hormonal changes. Women may develop fibroids during pregnancy when female sex hormone levels are elevated, and they may go away during menopause when hormone levels decline.
You can have fibroids with other gynecological conditions like endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If you have pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding, schedule an appointment at Trusted Women’s Health Center.
Dr. Aldabbagh conducts a thorough history and physical exam to find the cause of your symptoms. He may first identify fibroids during your physical exam and then order imaging tests to locate and measure them.
Treatment for fibroids depends on the severity of your symptoms. If your fibroids cause no problems, Dr. Aldabbagh may monitor the growth, scheduling regular visits for ultrasound imaging.
If you have symptoms, he may prescribe hormonal birth control to regulate your menstrual cycle. You may also take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication to manage symptoms.
For large fibroids or fibroids that continue to cause problems, Dr. Aldabbagh may recommend surgery to remove the growth.
Call Trusted Women’s Health Center or request an appointment online today to learn more about treatments for fibroids.