Gynecologists Dr. Rebecca Brown, Dr. Jennifer Chen, Dr. Lily Lee, Dr. Rahil Patel, Dr. Henrietta Stancz-Szeder, Dr. Karen Toubi, Dr. Kathleen Valenton, Dr. Wendy Kim Waldman, and Dr. Peter Weiss at Rodeo Drive Women’s Health Center offer myomectomy procedures for women looking to decrease severe menstrual symptoms or conceive. A myriad of biological factors can inhibit the experience of getting pregnant and can be disheartening for many. Contact the practice located in Beverly Hills, California to see if this procedure is right for you.
A myomectomy is a surgical procedure to remove fibroids in your uterus that usually form during your childbearing years. The fibroids, called leiomyomas, are noncancerous growths, but create unwanted symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain, and can even inhibit pregnancy.
When the fibroids in your uterus begin to cause symptoms that affect your daily life, your doctor may recommend that you undergo a myomectomy. It’s also the only fibroid treatment that may improve your chances of having a baby (although it doesn’t guarantee it). Your OB/GYN specialist recommends this procedure if:
Outside of fertility reasons, women can also undergo myomectomy if they have:
There are three surgical methods for a myomectomy:
Hysteroscopy
This procedure involves inserting a viewing instrument through the vagina and into the uterus. This process can remove the fibroids on your inner uterine wall, but not the ones that have grown deep into the wall.
Laparoscopy
This involves a viewing instrument and at least one incision in the abdomen. It’s used to remove one or two fibroids that are growing outside of the uterus.
Laparotomy
Involves a larger incision in the abdomen, and is reserved for removing several fibroids, large fibroids, or those that have grown deep into the uterine wall.
Myomectomy has low complication rates, but as with any surgery, certain risks are involved:
The doctor may recommend specific measures to minimize these risks before undergoing surgery, such as: