Fibroid Ultrasound

Fibroids are growths on your uterine wall that can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms, from heavy periods to pain during sex. If you notice unusual bleeding or severe cramping during your menstrual cycle, talk to your doctor. At the Astra Fibroid Treatment Specialists in Brooklyn, NY and Bronx, NY, Dr. George Bolotin uses an ultrasound to reveal any uterine fibroids. Then, a focused ultrasound for fibroids serves as a treatment. Put your health, well-being and fertility in the hands of an expert: Dr. Bolotin. Call today for an appointment.

What Is a Fibroid Ultrasound?

Fibroid ultrasounds have two distinct and sometimes complementary functions. Your fibroid specialist can use one type of ultrasound for diagnostic purposes and a different kind to treat your fibroids. Fibroid problems manifest themselves as different symptoms. If you have uterine fibroids, your fibroid doctor may order an ultrasound to confirm his suspicions, especially if you’re experiencing symptoms such as:

• Pain during sex
• Explained weight gain
• A frequent urge to urinate
• Severe menstrual cramps
• Bleeding fibroids
• Fibroid pain
• An enlarged uterus
• Pelvic pain

If you feel you may be suffering from any uterine fibroid symptoms, seek a professional diagnosis from a doctor experienced in fibroid symptoms and treatments. In Brooklyn, New York and Bronx, New York, visit Dr. George Bolotin at his Astra Fibroid Treatment Specialists clinic. Dr. Bolotin is an Interventional Radiologist who’s an expert in diagnosing and treating uterine fibroids with personalized attention and compassionate care.

When Do I Need a Fibroid Diagnostic Ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a medical device that uses high-frequency sound waves to generate an image of the muscles and veins beneath your skin. The procedure involves coating the skin above your uterus with a gel that helps produce a crisper image. Then a staff member places a transducer on your skin that projects the sound waves and measures the reflected waves, resulting in a picture of your uterus that reveals any fibroids.

If the exam detects uterine fibroids, your doctor needs to determine their nature. Although most women experience uterine fibroids during their lifetime, many never know they have them because they remain small and unobtrusive. But if you experience any symptoms, your doctor may recommend a diagnostic ultrasound to see which type or condition your fibroids resemble, such as:

• Subserosal fibroids
• Intramural fibroids
• Calcified fibroids
• Degenerated fibroids
• A fibroid tumor or even fibroid cancer

When Do I Need a Focused Ultrasound for Fibroids?

A focused ultrasound for fibroids, also known as focused ultrasound surgery for fibroids, is a non-invasive treatment for benign uterine tumors or fibroid growths. This procedure is called focused ultrasound ablation or even magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery. Whatever you call it, it can be an effective treatment for removing fibroids.

The treatment occurs while your doctor views inside your uterus with imaging technology to pinpoint your fibroids’ exact location — and the organs to avoid. Your doctor then uses an ultrasound transducer to focus high-frequency sound waves directly at the problem fibroids. The focused energy from the targeted sound waves creates enough heat to destroy the fibroids while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed.

While fibroid ultrasound treatment is a non-invasive and successful treatment, it’s not suitable for all forms of uterine fibroids. Dr. Bolotin may also recommend another treatment option, such as:

• Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), which comes with many benefits and few risks
• Hormone treatments for fibroids
• Fibroid removal through surgery

Is a Fibroid Ultrasound Like a Cancer Ultrasound?

There are a lot of similarities between fibroid vs. cancer ultrasound tests. In both cases, doctors use ultrasounds for both diagnostics and treatments. Ultrasound procedures for cancer mimic the two procedures of fibroid ultrasounds, such as:

• Diagnostic testing. Your doctor uses the high-frequency sound waves of ultrasound to capture images of any potential cancerous tumors in or near your organs without breaking the skin. Since it uses sound waves, the process is free of any potentially dangerous x-rays.
• High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatments. Similar to focused ultrasound for fibroids, doctors use HIFU to destroy cancer growths with the heat of high-frequency sound waves. HIFU is most effective on a single small tumor or a section of a larger one. It’s not an effective treatment for widespread cancer.

Ultrasound technology continues to develop, providing doctors with more options for treatment. Let your fibroid specialist guide you to the most appropriate method to diagnose and treat your uterine fibroids.

Why Do I Need Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Fibroids?

If you’re suffering from uterine fibroids, Dr. Bolotin may recommend an ultrasound treatment for you. It provides several benefits over other therapies, such as:

• The treatment is a non-invasive alternative to traditional surgery.
• You can usually return to normal activity soon after treatment.
• The procedure successfully alleviates several fibroid symptoms, like heavy periods and pelvic pain.

By the age of 50, the vast majority of American women, including African American women, have suffered from fibroids to some extent. Fortunately, in Brooklyn, NY and Bronx, NY, you can take advantage of one of the region’s top fibroid clinics. Contact the Astra Fibroid Treatment Specialists for prompt diagnosis and effective treatment for your fibroid problems.