Fibroids Specialist
Uterine fibroids don’t always cause symptoms, but when they do, it’s both excruciating and debilitating. Experienced OB/GYN Dr. Aiman Shilad, of One Oak Medical, diagnoses and treats fibroids at the practice’s offices in Wayne, Paramus, and Clifton, New Jersey. If you suspect you may have fibroids and want the highest quality treatment, call One Oak Medical or schedule an appointment online today.
Fibroids Q & A
What are uterine fibroids?
Fibroids, also called myomas or leiomyomas, are the most commonly seen tumors in a woman’s reproductive system. These tumors are noncancerous and develop from the muscle tissue in your uterus.
Uterine fibroids vary in size, shape, and location. They can remain small for several years and then grow rapidly, or steadily increase in size. Fibroids can grow inside your uterus, on its outer surface, or within the muscular tissue of your uterine wall.
What causes uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are extremely common among women of childbearing years, though some cases remain undiagnosed. The National Institutes of Health estimates about half of all women have fibroids by age 50.
Specific factors may increase your risk of getting fibroids, such as:
- A family history of fibroids
- Being in your 30s or 40s
- Being overweight or obese
What are the symptoms of fibroids?
Most cases of fibroids don’t cause any symptoms at all, but when there are symptoms, they can be severe. Common symptoms of fibroids include:
- Heavy menstrual periods
- Vaginal bleeding that occurs outside of your period
- Severe menstrual cramps
- Pelvic or lower back pain
- Pain during sex
- Enlargement of the uterus and abdomen
- Feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen
- Frequent urination
- Painful bowel movements
- Miscarriages
- Infertility
How are fibroids diagnosed?
Dr. Shilad may discover lumps or growths when he checks your uterus during a pelvic exam. If he suspects you have fibroids, he may perform diagnostic imaging tests such as a pelvic ultrasound.
Then, he recommends the best treatment options based on the size of your fibroids and severity of your symptoms. Small fibroids that don’t cause symptoms often don’t require treatment and eventually go away on their own.
How are fibroids treated?
To treat persistent pain, heavy bleeding, or other debilitating symptoms, Dr. Shilad may recommend hormonal medications, such as birth control pills. If medication management doesn’t improve your condition, surgery may be necessary.
Dr. Shilad is highly trained and experienced in various surgical techniques to treat fibroids, including minimally invasive hysterectomies and myomectomies.
Depending on your unique situation, he may perform a myomectomy to remove the fibroids while leaving your uterus intact, or a hysterectomy to remove the entire uterus.
If you think you may have uterine fibroids, call One Oak Medical or schedule an appointment online today.
