Fibroids Specialist

Women’s Healthcare

Melissa Grier, MD

OBGYN & Gynecologist located in Pasadena, CA

Fibroids are a common women’s health issue that can cause painful symptoms and interfere with your fertility. At Melissa Grier, MD Women’s Healthcare in Pasadena, California, Dr. Grier diagnoses fibroids and provides customized treatment to relieve your symptoms and restore your health. Call the office or schedule a consultation online today for expert fibroid treatment.

626-269-7520

Fibroids Q & A

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are benign (noncancerous) tumors that grow in or on the walls of your uterus. Fibroids vary in size and range from as small as a grain of rice to as large as a grapefruit. You might have one fibroid, or you could have several growths.

Medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause of fibroids, but they know that your medical history and hormones influence your risk. You can develop fibroids at any age, from the time you start your period until you reach menopause.

What are the symptoms of fibroids?

You can have fibroids but not have any symptoms. However, you might also have symptoms, including:

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

If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment with Dr. Grier to determine if you have fibroids or another reproductive health issue.

How are fibroids diagnosed?

Dr. Grier begins with a pelvic exam to feel for abnormalities in your uterus. She might order blood tests to rule out other conditions that can cause abnormal bleeding.

Dr. Grier might also use diagnostic imaging tools, including ultrasound, hysteroscopy, and hysterosonography, to examine your uterus in more detail.

How are fibroids treated?

Treatment for fibroids depends on your condition and symptoms. For example, if your fibroids aren’t painful or disrupting your health in other ways, Dr. Grier might recommend waiting and watching.

However, if your symptoms are interfering with your quality of life, Dr. Grier can prescribe medication to shrink or stop the growth of your fibroids. You might benefit from gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, a progestin-releasing intrauterine device (IUD), or tranexamic acid.

You might also benefit from ablation procedures to destroy the blood vessels feeding your fibroids. Without a blood supply, the fibroids shrink and die. In some cases, she might also recommend endometrial ablation procedures to get rid of your fibroids, but only if you are done having children.

In severe cases, Dr. Grier might recommend a minimally invasive myomectomy procedure to remove your fibroids. Dr. Grier specializes in minimally invasive surgeries and uses state-of-the-art robotic surgery equipment.

If you’re concerned about uterine fibroids, call Melissa Grier, MD Women’s Healthcare or make an appointment online today.