Uterine fibroids are common, affecting as many as one in five women during their childbearing years. Adam Shoman, MD, FACOG, and Azer Alizade, MD, FACOG offers minimally invasive myomectomy and hysterectomy procedures for fibroids at Elite OBGYN in Hackensack, New Jersey. For the most advanced care in minimally invasive gynecological surgery, call or book an appointment online today.
Fibroids are muscular, typically noncancerous, tumors that grow in your uterus. These tumors can grow inside your uterus, on the outer surface of your uterus, or within the uterine wall. Some even grow from a stem or stalk attached to your uterus.
It’s possible to have only one fibroid or many at the same time. Fibroids range in size from an apple seed to a softball but may become even larger in rare cases.
Most fibroids don’t cause any symptoms at all. Women who have symptoms of fibroids may experience the following:
Fibroids that grow large can cause abdominal swelling or bloating. In rare cases, fibroids can cause problems getting pregnant, or infertility.
Most women with fibroids have healthy, successful pregnancies. However, fibroids do increase your risk of developing problems during pregnancy and childbirth. The most common fibroid-related problems with pregnancy include:
Dr. Shoman has extensive experience in managing high-risk pregnancies and works with you to ensure the best experience possible.
Dr. Shoman may discover you have fibroids during a routine well-woman visit. He may be able to feel a fibroid during your pelvic exam. If so, he can confirm a diagnosis with an ultrasound.
If you have mild fibroid symptoms, Dr. Shoman may recommend medications for treatment. For moderate to severe fibroid symptoms, he may recommend surgery to remove the fibroids.
Dr. Shoman is skilled in the most advanced minimally invasive gynecologic procedures, such as:
This procedure removes the fibroids while leaving the healthy tissue of your uterus intact. This option allows you to have children after the fibroids are removed.
Hysterectomy involves removing your entire uterus. This is the most effective way to cure fibroids and may be necessary when the tumors are very large.
Dr. Shoman offers laparoscopic and robotic-assisted options for both of these procedures. Laparoscopic surgery involves inserting a thin, lighted instrument with a camera through a tiny incision, eliminating the need for open surgery.