Maurice Leibman, M.D. & Associates

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 board-certified gynecologist Maurice Leibman, MD, MSc, FACOG, NCMP, of Maurice Leibman, M.D. & Associates for diagnosis and treatment. He customizes a plan to help relieve your symptoms and restore your health and comfort. Women in the Houston, Texas, area can 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:

Heavy, painful periods
Feeling full or having swelling in the lower abdomen
Painful sex
Frequent urination
Lower back pain
Reproductive problems, including infertility and pregnancy complications

If you suffer any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with Dr. Leibman for a comprehensive gynecological evaluation. He can detect fibroids or another gynecological issue so you can get the appropriate treatment and resolve your symptoms.

How are fibroids diagnosed?

Dr. Leibman begins your evaluation with a pelvic exam to feel for abnormalities in your uterus. He 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 him find the exact location and size of any fibroids.

What is the treatment for fibroids?

If you have asymptomatic fibroids, Dr. Leibman 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. Leibman 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. Leibman.

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

If you have concerns about uterine fibroids, set up an appointment at Maurice Leibman, M.D. & Associates. Call the office, or book online.

Accepted Insurances

We accept most major insurances. We verify each patient's insurance plan prior to appointment. If the plan is not on the list, we will verify the network status. Please contact the medical office for all insurance related questions.

Accepted Insurances

We accept most major insurances. We verify each patient's insurance plan prior to appointment. If the plan is not on the list, we will verify the network status. Please contact the medical office for all insurance related questions.
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