Uterine fibroids (leiomyoma)

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous pelvic tumors located in the muscle of the uterus. Also known as leiomyomas, fibroids occur randomly and have no known cause. You may have fibroids your whole life and not know it – or, you may experience uncomfortable fibroid symptoms that cause you to seek fibroid treatment.

Fibroids impact roughly 50% of all women and tend to run in families. African American women are at a higher risk for developing fibroids, with up to 70% of the population being affected.

If fibroids are causing you pain, discomfort, excessive bleeding or other symptoms, treatment is available. We offer a variety of minimally invasive fibroid treatment choices – from medication and embolization to minimally invasive surgery.

Uterine fibroid symptoms

Many women have fibroids for years without any symptoms. If you’re not experiencing pain or discomfort, there may be no need to have your fibroids removed.

If you do experience symptoms of uterine fibroids, they may include:

• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Painful or heavy periods
• Infertility or difficulty conceiving
• Pre-term delivery

Fibroids diagnosis

In order to diagnose fibroids, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform an ultrasound. They may recommend lab work and perform a biopsy to rule out the presence of other conditions like cancer.

If fibroid treatment is necessary, your doctor may refer you to a fibroid specialist near you or recommend you visit the Aurora Fibroid Center at Aurora Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee.

Services & treatment for fibroids

Fibroid treatment used to be limited to abdominal hysterectomy only – an open surgery where the uterus was removed completely.

Today, a wide range of treatment options are available, including medication and minimally invasive procedures.

The course of fibroid treatment your doctor recommends will depend on your symptoms, overall health and how the fibroids are impacting your life.

The most common fibroid treatment options include:

• Hormonal and non-hormonal medications
• Uterine artery embolization (UAE), which stops blood flow to the uterus and fibroids
• Hysteroscopic myomectomy, which removes fibroids with the help of a tiny camera that allows your doctor to see inside your uterus without making any incisions
• Laparoscopic myomectomy, which removes fibroids through small incisions near your belly button or bikini line using a laparoscope – a thin surgical instrument with a camera that guides the doctor
• Minimally invasive hysterectomy, which removes all or part of the uterus through small incisions made in the abdomen
• Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation with Acessa, which softens and shrinks fibroid tissues through two small abdominal incisions using controlled radiofrequency energy, allowing you to avoid a hysterectomy and return to your life sooner

Located inside the Exclusively for Women Clinic at Aurora Sinai Medical Center, the Aurora Fibroid Clinic offers targeted fibroid treatment for women of all ages. Our fibroid specialists work with your OB/GYN and other health care professionals to provide personalized treatment options based on your symptoms, health and life.

When you visit our fibroid clinic, we’ll discuss your symptoms and make sure you’ve had a recent ultrasound. We may also recommend doing a biopsy to rule out other causes of your symptoms and to check for the presence of cancer.

No referral is necessary to make an appointment at the fibroid clinic. Call 414-219-5759 to set up an initial consultation today.

Aurora Fibroid Clinic
1218 W Kilbourn Ave.
Ste. 302
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-219-5759