Uterine Fibroids

Fibroids or uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign pelvic tumor in women. They are found in over 80% of women and typically present with symptoms of heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding that leads to anemia. At the very least many women feel pelvic pain/pressure, bloating/fullness or a bulge. Some have pain with menstruation and/or intercourse. Depending on their location, fibroids can also be associated with reproductive dysfunction.
Fibroid Tumors

Management of your fibroids depends on several factors:

  • The size, number, and location of your fibroids
  • The symptoms you have
  • Your age
  • Whether your fibroids cause so much bleeding that you have anemia
  • Whether you are done having children
  • How you feel about the risks and benefits of the different options

Treatment options will be discussed during your initial consultation, and many times further workup including an ultrasound is needed. You and your provider will create a plan that you are comfortable with, be it surgical or non-surgical.

We specialize in minimally invasive surgical (MIG) options to manage uterine fibroids including;

  • Resectoscopic resection of submucosal fibroids with or without endometrial ablation
  • Da Vinci hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
  • Traditional laparoscopic myomectomy
  • Laparoscopic hysterectomy

Occasionally patients are not good candidates for a minimally invasive approach. Though Dr. Hawkins specializes in removing extremely large fibroids and uteri laparoscopically, our surgeons are fully qualified and feel confident in removing extremely large or complicated fibroids and uteri through traditional open incision myomectomies or hysterectomy if needed.

No Morcellation

With the FDA precaution on power morcellation devices our practice has decided to no longer use the device for removal of specimens during myomectomies and hysterectomies. We use a technique that safely removes the uterus through the vagina or through the main laparoscopic incision with a 1-2cm extension. With this technique, the risks of leaving pieces of fibroids or the uterus, that potentially carry cancer cells, is minimalized.

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