Uterine Fibroid Diagnosis & Treatment in St. Louis

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids—also known as uterine myomas and formally called leiomyomas—are the most common types of pelvic tumors in females. Fibroids are benign uterine tumors arising from the smooth muscle cells in the wall of the uterus and range from undetectable tumors to masses that can cause the uterus to expand. In any case, many women experience uterine fibroids at some point in their lives and can find comfort in the fact that they are unlikely to develop into cancer.

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are most often clinically relevant in reproductive age and perimenopausal women. Symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, not all women experience symptoms with uterine fibroids while others have significant discomfort and pain, which is why it is important to schedule an annual woman’s wellness appointment, especially if you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids in the past. Contact us to schedule a well woman exam with Consultants in Women’s Healthcare.

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Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids

A presumptive uterine fibroid diagnosis can be made with a history and physical exam by your doctor, in which the physician will identify whether there is any irregular, firm masses in the uterus. Transvaginal imaging is also used to confirm the precise location of the pelvic tumors in the uterus.

Fibroids Treatment

The doctors at Consultants in Women’s Healthcare will provide you with an individualized uterine fibroid treatment plan based on the location, size and number of fibroids present. Common treatment modalities include:

• Medical management with oral contraceptive pills or intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Gonadotropin-releasing agonists (e.g. Lupron)
• Hysteroscopic myomectomy
• Open or laparoscopy myomectomy
• Uterine artery embolization, an interventional radiologic procedure
• Hysterectomy, including laparoscopic, vagina, and open approaches

Symptoms related to uterine fibroids often resolve with menopause. Most, but not all, women have shrinkage of leiomyomas thereafter.

Schedule a Uterine Fibroid Diagnosis Appointment in St. Louis

Consultants in Women’s Healthcare has been providing women in St. Louis, eastern Missouri and western Illinois with personal, individualized care for 25 years. We are located on the campus of Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis. Contact us to set up a consultation with a physician to learn more about our treatment plans.

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