One in five of women in the United States will develop a non-cancerous tumor in their uterus by the time they reach 50, known as uterine fibroids. Fibroids can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including heavy menstrual periods, cramping, gas, infertility, pain during sex, fatigue, abdominal pressure and/or trouble urinating. While not all fibroids cause symptoms or require treatment, they are the most common cause of hysterectomy surgery, accounting for as many as half of the 600,000 hysterectomies performed in the United States each year. “The good news is that we now have a new treatment option,” said Dr. Jaleema Speaks, an OB/GYN at Novant Health. In this episode, Speaks answers the most common questions about fibroids, including what to do if you think you have one. She also explains how she, along with 15+ other physicians at Novant Health, are now trained to use ultrasound technology – radio waves – to remove fibroids. This new minimally invasive treatment option has become a gamechanger for her patients.
