Uterine Fibroid Specialist in Boston, MA

At Brigham/Faulkner Ob/Gyn Associates we recognize that for many women, uterine fibroids can present symptoms that negatively impact the quality of their lives.

While there are many treatment options for uterine fibroids, the success or outcomes of these treatments depend upon the skill of the physician and on the needs of the patient. That is why so many of the women in the greater Boston area have come to us for their care. Call (617) 983-7003 to schedule an appointment at our office in Boston, MA today!

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

A fibroid is a benign mass of cells that exist within the tissues of the uterus. These lumps are not cancerous, though they can cause significant symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, chronic pain, and more.

Fibroids are an extremely common female condition, and are said to affect up to 80% of all women by age 50, though not every individual will present symptoms of fibroids. Many women that do experience difficulties with fibroids will begin to notice symptoms as their benign tumors gradually grow larger over time. This growth is likely to continue, along with worsening symptoms, if the woman’s fibroids remain untreated.

What Causes Fibroids?

Unfortunately, there is no one particular cause to fibroids. Medical professionals and researchers speculate that the development of uterine fibroids is related to hormonal imbalances as well as the patient’s genetic history, meaning that individuals have little to no control over their risk for encountering this condition.

Who Is at Risk for Getting Fibroids?

In addition to having irregular hormone levels and a family history of fibroids, other factors that can influence a woman’s risk of developing fibroids are:

• Her age: Fibroids are most commonly diagnosed between age 30 and 40.
• Her weight: Obese individuals are more likely to suffer from fibroids. The more weight a woman carries, the greater her risk.
• Her ethnicity: African-American women encounter problems with uterine fibroids more than any other ethnic group.
• Her diet: More recent studies have shown that a high intake of red meat can negatively impact a woman’s likelihood to develop fibroid. In contrast, eating more leafy greens and fruit can have a positive effect on this particular risk factor.

What Are the Symptoms of Fibroids?

As mentioned, fibroids typically cause excessive bleeding along with recurring pelvic pain. This pain is often misdiagnosed by patients as regular cramping during their menstrual cycle, but is most often the result of the positioning or increasing size of their uterine fibroids.

• Excessive Menstrual Bleeding. Most women with fibroids experience heavy bleeding, sometimes even causing anemia.
• Pelciv Cramping & Pain. Uterine fibroids can increase a patient’s chances of painful menstrual cramping.
• Pelvic Pressure. A woman with fibroids may experience chronic pelvic pain and pressure as well as pain in the lower back and sides.
• Urinary Frequency. If fibroids compress the bladder, patients may find themselves using the bathroom much more frequently than they normally do.
• Painful Intercourse. Many women experience pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Providing the right treatment

One of the key benefits the physicians at Brigham/Faulkner Ob/Gyn provide to their patients is making sure the right procedure (or no procedure) is performed to treat the specific problem each individual is experiencing. Because each patient has different experiences and expectations related to their fibroids, selecting the right surgical or non-surgical approach will make a significant difference in patient outcomes.

For more information

To find out more about having us treat your fibroid condition or to schedule an appointment, please call us at 617-893-7003.