Duke’s expert gynecologists draw on the latest developments to treat uterine fibroids, which are growths of tissue found on the wall of the uterus.

Most uterine fibroids are harmless, non-cancerous tumors, and they affect 30 to 40 percent of premenopausal women and 70 to 80 percent of women at age 50.

However, you may need to have them removed or reduced if you experience:

• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Pelvic pressure
• Pain
• Obstructive urinary and bowel symptoms
• Reproductive difficulties

Duke offers a full range of services for uterine fibroid diagnosis and treatment. Early detection may be critical for fertility success, so our physicians use diagnostic tools such as ultrasound, saline infusion sonography, and MRI to detect and locate fibroids.

Medical Treatments

Current medical therapies for fibroid management are limited. Drugs that reduce estrogen production, such as Lupron and Zoladex, have been found to be the most effective.

The Duke Center for Uterine Fibroid Biology and Therapy is continually researching new drug therapies to treat uterine fibroids. The center comprises physician investigators, basic scientists, and epidemiologists, and it has been a leader in developing new understanding of uterine fibroids.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Procedures

Traditional treatments for uterine fibroids have included hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) and myomectomy (surgical removal of individual fibroids).

However, Duke is at the forefront of new minimally invasive and non-invasive treatments. Such treatments can reduce recovery time and complications in qualified patients. They include:

• Laparoscopic and hysteroscopic myomectomy: Surgical removal of large or palpable fibroids
• Uterine artery embolization: Radiological procedure which reduces bleeding, bulk and pain related to fibroids (learn more about this procedure)
• MRI-guided focused ultrasound: Cutting-edge, non-surgical treatment that removes fibroids while keeping surrounding tissues intact

Learn more about MRI-guided focused ultrasound

For more information about MRI-guided focused ultrasound and other treatments available at Duke, contact fibroidcenter@mc.duke.edu.

Appointments

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 919-684-2471. To find a physician or get a referral, call 888-ASK-DUKE (888-275-3853).

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Andrews, Paul S.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / OB/GYN-Durham OB Division
• Artis, Avis A.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / OB/GYN-Harris & Smith Division
• Avery, Katrina H.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / OB/GYN-Harris & Smith Division
• Choi, Mina N.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / OB/GYN-Harris & Smith Division
• Cole, MargEva M.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / OB/GYN-Durham OB Division
• Duncan, Richard D. III
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / OB/GYN-Durham OB Division
• Fetko, Linda L.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / OB/GYN-Durham OB Division
• Filip, Stanley J.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
• Floyd, Serina E.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / Duke Women's Health Associates
• Ford, Anne C.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / Duke Women's Health Associates
• Harris, Charles O.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / OB/GYN-Harris & Smith Division
• Heath, Stacey M.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / OB/GYN-Harris & Smith Division
• Jarvis, Amber M.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / OB/GYN-Durham OB Division
• MacLaurin, Nancy A.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / OB/GYN-Durham OB Division
• Nieves, Angel
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / Duke Women's Health Associates
• Price, Thomas M.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / Reproductive Endocrinology & Fertility
• Quinn, Michele T.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / Duke Women's Health Associates
• Smith, Ira Q.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / OB/GYN-Harris & Smith Division
• Sobolewski, Craig J.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology / Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Health Center at North Duke Street
  3116 North Duke Street, Durham, NC 27704
• Duke OB-GYN
  Duke Clinic 1J, 40 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710
• Duke Women's Health Associates Brier Creek
  10211 Alm Street, Suite 212, Raleigh, NC 27617
• Duke Women's Health Associates at Patterson Place
  5324 McFarland Drive, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27707
• Harris & Smith OB-GYN
  4116 Capitol Street, Durham, NC 27704
• Harris & Smith OB-GYN at Patterson Place
  5324 McFarland Drive, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27707