Find Relief from Fibroids in Greater Orlando
We know the pain and frustration of uterine fibroids, also known as myomas, weigh heavily on your physical, mental and emotional health. We’ve designed our Comprehensive Fibroid Program — the first of its kind in Central Florida — with a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating uterine fibroids, all while keeping the focus on you.
Our Winter Park-based 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 your fertility and helps you feel whole.
We’re here to help you find the right women’s health specialist or a location that’s convenient for you.
Treating a Common Condition With the Utmost Expertise
Here in Central Florida, many women deal with uterine fibroids and their symptoms. But just because fibroids are a common condition doesn’t mean you have to settle for living in discomfort or for typical care. Learn how our local experts take a well-rounded, whole-person approach to fibroid treatment.
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 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 Central Florida Team
Answering Your Fibroid Questions
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Q:Question: What are fibroids?
A: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.
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Q:Question: What are some common fibroid symptoms?
A: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)
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Q:Question: What are the treatment options for fibroids?
A: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)
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Q:Question: Where can I find specialized fibroid treatment near Orlando?
A:Answer:Our Comprehensive Fibroid Program in Winter Park, Florida, offers specialized, multidisciplinary care for women with fibroids. We're here to help you find relief from fibroid symptoms like pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding or fertility issues.
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.
Comprehensive Fibroid Treatment Options
At AdventHealth for Women, we offer a range of uterine fibroid treatments. Our expert surgeons perform a variety of minimally invasive procedures to treat fibroids right here in Central Florida.
- Medical Therapy
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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 Lead in Women's Care and the Highest-Ranked in Orlando
AdventHealth Orlando is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the highest ranked obstetrics and gynecology care in Greater Orlando.
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.
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.