A recent comprehensive review of medical studies revealed that up to 80% of women experience uterine fibroids during their lifetime.
At his practice in White Plains and Queens, New York, renowned OB/GYN Daniel Kushner, MD, understands fibroids and the frustrating challenges they can cause. He and our caring team believe that fibroids shouldn't hold you back in life, so we provide innovative minimally invasive treatment options tailored to your needs.
Yes, in many cases you can avoid major surgery for fibroids. Here, we explain more about fibroids and the conservative techniques that can help.
Fibroids, or uterine leiomyomas, are noncancerous growths that appear in or on the uterus. They can vary in size and may cause symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, long periods, bleeding between periods, pelvic pressure, and discomfort during intercourse.
However, while most women have fibroids, not all of them experience symptoms. Only around 20%-50% of women with fibroids experience other intrusive symptoms, according to the Journal of Women's Health. Many women don't know they have fibroids due to a lack of symptoms.
Choosing the right treatment can depend on your symptoms and other factors unique to you.
Dr. Kushner’s approach to fibroid management is rooted in compassion and innovation. He considers each woman's needs individually. Your symptoms, lifestyle, and personal preferences all contribute to the treatment path we choose as a team.
For many women, their top request is a nonsurgical or minimally invasive treatment versus major surgery — and fortunately, we can accommodate that in most cases.
The treatments we may recommend are:
The watch-and-wait approach might be ideal in a few situations. For example, women who have fibroids without symptoms might only need treatment if the growths start causing problems. In many cases, Dr. Kushner may diagnose asymptomatic fibroids when reviewing imaging tests taken for other reasons.
Many fibroids shrink naturally without any medical intervention. Monitoring your symptoms over time can also be a viable first step.
Hormone therapies can help shrink growths to manage fibroid symptoms effectively, but they're not a forever solution. When you stop taking the hormones that are controlling fibroid growth, your fibroids, and their symptoms, can return.
Endometrial ablation is a leading treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids, particularly those that cause heavy bleeding. It involves removing the uterine lining and can dramatically reduce menstrual bleeding and pain.
Although it’s a surgical procedure, endometrial ablation is minimally invasive and has a much shorter recovery time than hysterectomy (uterus removal) or myomectomy (surgical fibroid removal).
Dr. Kushner specializes in ablation and has perfected his approach to ensure the best possible results for women with persistent heavy bleeding due to fibroids.
Endometrial ablation is an outpatient procedure, and recovery often takes just a few days.
While it's a great option for many women struggling with heavy fibroid bleeding, endometrial ablation isn't right for women who plan to have children in the future. Pregnancy can be dangerous after endometrial ablation, so it's important to use birth control consistently afterward.
There are also other nonsurgical options to avoid surgery, such as uterine artery embolization (UAE) to cut off the fibroid blood supply. Dr. Kushner reviews all of your options with you to provide the best solution to meet your needs.
If you’re dealing with fibroid symptoms, early intervention is key. By exploring your options with Dr. Kushner, you can find a treatment plan that works for you and avoid unnecessary surgery whenever possible. Call our Queens office at 718-793-1995 or our White Plains office at 914-422-0222 to schedule your consultation today.
