Uterine Fibroid Treatment in Miami, FL
Uterine fibroids affect up to 70–80% of women by age 50. Dr. Sidiq Aldabbagh offers a full spectrum of fibroid treatment options — from watchful waiting and hormonal therapy to minimally invasive laparoscopic myomectomy — tailored to your symptoms, size, and fertility goals.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Fibroids (leiomyomas) are non-cancerous growths of the uterine muscle. They range in size from a pea to a grapefruit and can be located within the uterine wall (intramural), beneath the inner lining (submucosal), on the outer surface (subserosal), or on a stalk (pedunculated). Many fibroids cause no symptoms; others cause heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, pain, or fertility issues.
Fibroid Diagnosis
Diagnosis is confirmed with pelvic ultrasound (transvaginal or abdominal), which defines the size, number, and location of fibroids. MRI is used when detailed mapping is needed before surgery. Sonohysterography (saline infusion ultrasound) evaluates fibroids that extend into the uterine cavity.
Medical & Hormonal Treatment
For women who wish to avoid or delay surgery, options include: NSAIDs and hormonal contraceptives to reduce heavy bleeding; tranexamic acid for heavy periods; GnRH agonists (Lupron) to temporarily shrink fibroids before surgery; and Oriahnn (elagolix + estrogen + progestin) for heavy menstrual bleeding from fibroids.
Minimally Invasive Surgery — Myomectomy
Dr. Aldabbagh performs laparoscopic myomectomy — removal of fibroids through small incisions using a camera — as an outpatient procedure with same-day discharge in most cases. This fertility-preserving approach removes fibroids while leaving the uterus intact. Hysteroscopic myomectomy removes submucosal fibroids through the vagina, with no incisions required.
When Is Hysterectomy Recommended?
For women who have completed childbearing and have severe symptoms unresponsive to other treatments, laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomy provides a permanent solution. Dr. Aldabbagh performs minimally invasive hysterectomy whenever feasible, avoiding open abdominal surgery in most cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common fibroid symptoms include heavy or prolonged menstrual periods, bleeding between periods, pelvic pressure or fullness, frequent urination (from fibroid pressing on bladder), lower back pain, pain during intercourse, and in some cases, difficulty conceiving or recurrent miscarriage.
No. Many fibroids are small and cause no symptoms, requiring only periodic monitoring with ultrasound. Treatment is recommended when fibroids cause significant symptoms — heavy bleeding, pain, pressure, or fertility problems — or when they grow rapidly.
Yes, depending on their location. Submucosal fibroids (inside the uterine cavity) most significantly affect fertility and implantation. Intramural fibroids may also affect fertility if they distort the cavity. Dr. Aldabbagh evaluates each case individually and recommends myomectomy when indicated for fertility.
Laparoscopic myomectomy is a minimally invasive surgery where Dr. Aldabbagh removes fibroids through 3–4 small abdominal incisions using a camera (laparoscope) and specialized instruments. It is performed under general anesthesia, most patients go home the same day, and recovery takes 1–2 weeks versus 4–6 weeks for open surgery.
Fibroid recurrence after myomectomy is possible — studies show up to 30% recurrence at 5 years. However, most recurrent fibroids are small and do not require further treatment. Pregnancy and menopause both reduce the likelihood of regrowth.
The risk of a fibroid becoming a uterine sarcoma (cancer) is very low — approximately 0.1–0.3% of cases. Rapidly growing fibroids, especially in postmenopausal women, warrant evaluation. Dr. Aldabbagh will discuss any concerning features found on ultrasound.
Non-surgical options include hormonal birth control to manage bleeding, GnRH agonists to temporarily shrink fibroids, Oriahnn (an FDA-approved oral medication for heavy fibroid bleeding), and tranexamic acid. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a radiology procedure performed by interventional radiologists as an alternative to surgery.
Size alone does not determine the need for treatment — symptoms do. Small fibroids causing heavy bleeding or fertility problems may need treatment; large asymptomatic fibroids may only need monitoring. Dr. Aldabbagh assesses both size and impact on quality of life.
Yes. Dr. Aldabbagh is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and performs laparoscopic myomectomy routinely. Hysteroscopic myomectomy (for submucosal fibroids) is also performed in-office. The approach is selected based on fibroid size, location, and number.
Yes — fibroids are significantly more common and often more severe in Black women, occurring 2–3 times more frequently and at a younger age. Dr. Aldabbagh is attentive to this disparity and ensures that Black women receive timely evaluation and appropriate treatment for fibroid symptoms.
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New patients welcome at both Miami locations. Bilingual care in English, Spanish & Arabic.