Fibroids

Many women have uterine fibroids and never even know it. If you’re among those for whom fibroids cause pain, irregular bleeding, and fertility disruption, trust Practicing since 2020 gynecologist Lauren Spoo, MD, of Lauren Spoo & Associates in Houston, Texas, for diagnosis and treatment. She will customize a plan to help relieve your symptoms and restore your health and comfort. Please call the office or schedule a consultation online to learn more about fibroid treatments.

• Fibroids Q & A

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or on the walls of your uterus. The growths range in size; some are as small as a grain of rice, and others can grow as large as a grapefruit. Women can have just one uterine fibroid or many.

It isn’t entirely clear why women develop fibroids. They most commonly appear in your 30s and 40s and may shrink after menopause. Medical history and hormones do influence your risk of developing them.

What symptoms suggest I have fibroids?

Fibroids often cause no symptoms, and unless detected during a pelvic exam or during another screening, you may never even know you have them.

Symptomatic fibroids can be quite disruptive, however, causing:

Reproductive problems, including infertility and pregnancy complications If you suffer any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with Dr. Spoo for a comprehensive gynecological evaluation. She can detect fibroids or another gynecological issue so you can get the appropriate treatment and resolve your symptoms.

• Heavy, painful periods
• Feeling full or having swelling in the lower abdomen
• Painful sex
• Frequent urination
• Lower back pain

How are fibroids diagnosed?

Dr. Spoo begins your evaluation with a pelvic exam to feel for abnormalities in your uterus. She may also order blood tests to rule out other conditions that can cause abnormal bleeding or pelvic bloating and pain.

You may also undergo diagnostic imaging, including ultrasound or hysteroscopy, to examine your uterus in more detail. These tools help her find the exact location and size of any fibroids.

What is the treatment for fibroids?

If you have asymptomatic fibroids, Dr. Spoo may recommend a watch-and-see approach. If the fibroids grow large or start to cause symptoms, treatment may then be recommended.

If you already have symptoms that interfere with your quality of life, Dr. Spoo may prescribe medications that shrink fibroids or at least stop their growth. These medications include gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, a progestin-releasing IUD, or tranexamic acid.

In some cases, procedures are recommended to destroy the blood vessels that fuel fibroids’ development. When their blood supply is cut off, the fibroids shrink and die. Minimally invasive surgery called myomectomy is also a possibility. During this procedure, the doctor excises the fibroids and leaves your reproductive organs intact. The newest treatment, which holds great promise, is Acessa Radiofrequency Ablation, where the fibroids are ablated during a minimally invasive laparoscopy, made recently available through Dr. Spoo.

In some cases, a full hysterectomy is the best course of treatment.

If you have concerns about uterine fibroids, set up an appointment at Lauren Spoo & Associates. Call the office, or book online.