Comprehensive Fibroid Program

Young female patient with older female physician in an exam room.

You Deserve to Find Relief From Fibroids

We know the pain and frustration of uterine fibroids, or myomas, can weigh heavily on your physical, mental and emotional health. That’s why we’ve designed our Comprehensive Fibroid Program with a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating uterine fibroids — all while keeping the focus on you.

The first of its kind in Central Florida, our program provides sophisticated and collaborative care from a team of board-certified, fellowship-trained gynecologic surgeons, interventional radiologists and hematologists. Knowing that no single treatment is best for everyone, we’ll evaluate your unique situation and discuss your options, including watchful waiting, medical therapy and surgery. Together, we’ll create a plan that meets your immediate needs, considers fertility and promotes your long-term health.

A Woman Surfs the Internet on a Table in a Dark Room of Her Home. — Is Our Program **Right for You?**

If you have heavy menstrual bleeding or pelvic heaviness or pressure — two of the most common fibroid disease symptoms — our Comprehensive Fibroid Program is here to help you find relief and feel like yourself again. Take our quick symptoms quiz to see if our program can help you.

Take the Quiz

As the statistics show us, many women struggle with fibroids. But just because they’re common doesn’t mean you have to live in discomfort — or receive typical care. Learn how we take a well-rounded, whole-person approach to fibroid treatment.

What to Know About Fibroids
Our Multidisciplinary Approach

What to Know About Fibroids

According to the Office on Women’s Health (a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), medical research studies and our AdventHealth for Women experts, we know that:

Approximately 8 in 10 women develop uterine fibroids by age 50
Uterine fibroids, also sometimes called leiomyomas, may be present in up to 70% of premenopausal women
Women between the ages of 30 and 40 have the highest incidence of uterine fibroids compared to other age groups
Women wait an average of 3.6 years before seeking treatment for fibroid-related symptoms

Our Multidisciplinary Approach

Our program’s team-based, or multidisciplinary, approach means specialists from different medical disciplines collaborate to give you the best possible care. For you, this approach means benefits like:

An early and accurate diagnosis
A wider availability of treatment options, including pharmacological and surgical solutions
Treatment can start sooner
Treatments are evidence-based and safe
Your treatment plan is individualized to your unique needs
Your care is coordinated and seamless

With the knowledge that your treatment plan has been developed by different specialists working together, you can be confident that you’ll receive care that’s just as comprehensive as it is personalized.

Meet Our Dedicated Team

Rajesh Sehgal, MD

Hematology and Oncology

Alberto Mansilla, MD

Interventional Radiology

Ana Parada, BSN, RN

Fibroid Care Coordinator

Ronald Franco, RPh

Pharmacist

Answering Your Fibroid Questions

Question: What are fibroids?

Answer:

Fibroids are abnormal growths in the muscular part of the uterus, or womb. People sometimes refer to fibromas in the uterus as tumors, but fibroids are not a form of cancer.
Question: What are some common fibroid symptoms?
Answer:
Fibroids often have no symptoms at all, but when they do, some common fibroid (also sometimes called myoma) symptoms can include:
Heavy menstrual periods
Irregular menstrual periods
Pain, pressure, or a feeling of "fullness" in the pelvis
Frequent urination
Too few bowel movements (constipation)
Difficulty getting pregnant (fertility issues)
Question: What are the treatment options for fibroids?
Answer:
Not all fibroids need treatment. If your fibroids are causing symptoms, there are several treatment options, each with its own risks and benefits. The right treatment for you depends on:
Your age: most fibroids shrink or stop causing problems after menopause, which is when monthly periods stop
If you are interested in being pregnant in the future
Whether your fibroids cause heavy bleeding, which leads to a condition called anemia (low hemoglobin level)
The size, number and location of your fibroids
Your priorities and goals (i.e., which risks and benefits of each treatment option are most important to you)

A Doctor Goes Over a Chart with a Patient

Which Treatment Is Best for You?

Our dedicated team will work with you to help you understand the different treatment options and how each would affect you. Then, a personalized plan will be created for your individual needs and goals. We’ll go over factors like:

Whether you prefer taking medicines over surgery
Invasive and conservative surgeries
Future pregnancy: if you might want to get pregnant, medicines or a myomectomy may be the best choice
How soon you may reach menopause: fibroid-related symptoms often go away with menopause, so your age can help you make a treatment decision.

Medical Therapy: Fibroids can be treated through non-invasive therapy options. Oral contraceptive pills, injections and implants used for birth control can all make your periods lighter. Some types of intrauterine devices (IUDs) can also do this.
Fibroid Removal Surgery (Myomectomy): Surgery to remove fibroids is called myomectomy. Myomectomy can be performed in several ways:
Through a hysteroscopy (an exam of the inside of the cervix using a thin tube called a hysteroscope)
Laparoscopically
By using robotic-assisted technology
Through an open-abdominal approach
The most appropriate type of surgery depends on the location, number and size of the fibroids.
In a myomectomy surgery, the fibroids are removed but the uterus is left in place. While it’s effective, it’s important to keep in mind that fibroids can come back. A myomectomy is often a good choice for people who might want to get pregnant in the future.
Fibroid Ablation: Dr. Zwain - Acessa Procedure (Minimally Invasive Surgery)

Fibroid ablation is a minimally invasive and same-day (outpatient) therapy for fibroids. It uses a technology called radiofrequency ablation. Each fibroid is destroyed by applying energy through a small needle. The surrounding normal uterine tissue is not affected, and the procedure will relieve your symptoms.
Fibroid Embolization: Fibroid embolization — also called uterine artery embolization or uterine fibroid embolization — is a treatment to block the blood supply to the fibroids. This fibroid (or myoma) treatment involves the insertion of a thin tube into an artery in the leg and threads it up to the uterus. Then, the surgeon uses tiny particles to block the artery that brings blood to the fibroid.
After the procedure, the fibroid no longer receives blood, so it shrinks. This procedure should not be done for a woman who is interested in a future pregnancy.
Endometrial Ablation: Treatment to destroy the lining of the uterus is called endometrial ablation. The doctor inserts a thin tube into the vagina, through the cervix, and into the uterus. Then, they use tools inserted through that tube to eliminate the lining of the uterus.
This procedure reduces bleeding from heavy periods. While it’s effective, it’s not an option for all women, and it’s also not appropriate for a woman who might want to get pregnant.
Hysterectomy: Surgery to remove the uterus is called a hysterectomy. We offer vaginal, abdominal, laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomy options. This surgery is the definitive therapy for fibroids. If you have a hysterectomy, your fibroids cannot come back.

Health Navigator taking a phone call — Let Our Navigators **Be Your Guides**

Our Health Navigation Team is made up of registered nurses who connect you with our experts and offer guidance and support at every step of your treatment. Our team works together to help you manage your overall care, including:
Finding a care provider
Answering your fibroid health care questions
Assistance with scheduling appointments
Pre- and postoperative counseling and education
Coordination of care among multiple providers and facilities.

Request an Appointment

Hear How We’ve Helped Women Like You

When Johanna came to see Dr. Zwain, one of our gynecologic surgeons, she was in debilitating pain from uterine fibroids, which made it hard for her to sleep, work or be active. Thanks to a new minimally invasive surgical procedure, Johanna is now living free of fibroid pain.

Delivering Women’s Care You Can Trust

We’re nationally recognized by these organizations and others for upholding the highest standards of quality and safety in gynecological care.

National Leader in Women’s Care

AdventHealth Orlando is ranked #31 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for obstetrics and gynecology.

Learn More at U.S. News & World Report

The American Institute Minimally Invasive Surgery

American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery (AIMIS)

Founded in 2008, AIMIS is the only premier institution that recognizes hospitals and surgery centers as Centers of Excellence.

Honored To Be an Emerald Award Winner

The Leapfrog Group has exclusively recognized AdventHealth for remarkable achievements and leadership in patient safety, quality and transparency by a health care system, including maintaining a culture of excellence throughout all levels of the organization. Delivering consistent, high-quality, whole-person care is our priority, and we’re honored to be the first health care system to earn this award.

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View Our Awards and Recognitions

Take the First Step Toward Feeling Whole Again

If you’re living with fibroids, we’re here to help you find relief from your symptoms with proven treatment options from an experienced team. Count on us to listen to your concerns, design a treatment plan just for you and keep your whole health in mind at every step.

Comprehensive Fibroid Program

You Deserve to Find Relief From Fibroids

Is Our Program Right for You?

Treating a Common Condition With the Utmost Expertise

Meet Our Dedicated Team

Steven McCarus, MD