What Is A Uterus Doctor Called and Fibroids: What to Know

September 13, 2025

What Is A Uterus Doctor Called and Fibroids: What to Know

If you have questions about your uterus—especially concerns like heavy periods, pelvic pressure, or suspected fibroids—you may wonder which kind of doctor to see and what to expect. This guide explains who treats uterine conditions, what fibroids are, common symptoms, how they’re diagnosed, and the full range of treatment options. It reflects guidance from trusted sources including the NIH, the U.S. Office on Women’s Health, ACOG, and the FDA.

What is a “uterus doctor” called?

Most people use the term “uterus doctor” to mean a specialist who focuses on the female reproductive system. Several experts may be involved, depending on your needs:

Gynecologist (GYN) / Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN): The primary specialists for uterine conditions, including fibroids, abnormal bleeding, and pelvic pain. OB-GYNs diagnose and manage most fibroid cases.
Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI): A fertility subspecialist. If fibroids affect your ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy, an REI may co-manage care with your OB-GYN.
Urogynecologist (Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgeon): Focuses on pelvic floor disorders; may be involved if fibroids contribute to urinary symptoms or prolapse-like pressure.
Interventional Radiologist (IR): Performs uterine fibroid embolization (also called uterine artery embolization), a minimally invasive, uterus-sparing procedure that shrinks fibroids by blocking their blood supply.
Gynecologic Oncologist: Consulted if there’s concern for cancer (rare with fibroids). They specialize in diagnosing and treating cancers of the reproductive tract.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist: If you’re pregnant and have fibroids, this high-risk pregnancy specialist may be part of your care team.

Your primary care clinician can start the evaluation and refer you to one or more of these specialists as needed.

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids (also called leiomyomas or myomas) are noncancerous growths that develop in or on the uterus. They vary in size from tiny seedlings to large masses that can enlarge the uterus. According to the National Institutes of Health, fibroids are very common—affecting up to 70–80% of women by age 50—and are more prevalent and often more severe among Black women. Fibroids are sensitive to hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which is why symptoms often ease after menopause.

Common signs and symptoms

Many fibroids cause no symptoms and are found incidentally. When symptoms occur, they can include:

Heavy menstrual bleeding (soaking through pads/tampons, passing clots, periods lasting >7 days)
Anemia (fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness) from chronic blood loss
Pelvic pressure or pain, lower back pain
Frequent urination or difficulty fully emptying the bladder
Constipation or rectal pressure
Pain with sex
Abdominal enlargement or a feeling of fullness
Fertility and pregnancy issues in some cases (submucosal fibroids may affect implantation or increase miscarriage risk)

Seek urgent care for severe bleeding (soaking a pad or tampon every hour for more than 2 hours), fainting or severe dizziness, or sudden severe pelvic pain—especially if pregnant.

How fibroids are diagnosed

Evaluation typically includes:

History and pelvic exam: Your clinician will discuss symptoms, menstrual patterns, and examine the uterus for size and tenderness.
Imaging: Pelvic ultrasound (transvaginal and/or transabdominal) is the first-line test. Saline infusion sonohysterography can better outline fibroids inside the uterine cavity. MRI helps map size, number, and location when planning procedures.
Hysteroscopy: A thin camera inserted through the cervix to visualize and sometimes remove fibroids within the cavity (submucosal).
Lab tests: A complete blood count checks for anemia; a pregnancy test is standard before many treatments. Depending on symptoms and age, your clinician may evaluate other causes of abnormal bleeding (e.g., endometrial biopsy).

Treatment options

The best treatment depends on your symptoms, the size and location of fibroids, your age, overall health, and fertility goals. Many options are uterus-sparing and can effectively control bleeding and pressure.

Watchful waiting

If fibroids are small and symptoms are mild, monitoring with periodic exams and imaging may be appropriate. Fibroids often shrink after menopause.

Medications

NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) can ease cramping and pain, but may not reduce heavy bleeding substantially.
Tranexamic acid (Lysteda): A non-hormonal medicine taken during periods that reduces heavy menstrual bleeding; FDA-approved for cyclic heavy menstrual bleeding.
Hormonal contraception (pills, patch, ring) and the levonorgestrel-releasing IUD: Often reduce bleeding and cramps; the IUD also thins the uterine lining.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (e.g., leuprolide): Temporarily shrink fibroids and reduce bleeding by inducing a reversible low-estrogen state; typically used short term (often with “add-back” hormones to limit side effects) or preoperatively.
Oral GnRH antagonists with add-back therapy: FDA-approved combinations such as elagolix + estradiol + norethindrone acetate (Oriahnn) and relugolix + estradiol + norethindrone acetate (Myfembree) reduce heavy bleeding associated with fibroids. They are generally limited in duration and require monitoring for side effects like bone density loss.

Uterus-sparing procedures

Myomectomy: Surgical removal of fibroids while preserving the uterus. Approaches include hysteroscopic (through the cervix for cavity fibroids), laparoscopic/robotic (minimally invasive), or open abdominal surgery. Myomectomy is often preferred for those seeking future pregnancy; however, fibroids can recur.
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE/UAE): Performed by an interventional radiologist, tiny particles are injected via a catheter to block blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink. Many patients experience substantial symptom relief with shorter recovery times. Data on future fertility are evolving; pregnancy after UFE is possible but may carry higher risks compared with myomectomy—discuss your goals with your team.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): Uses targeted heat to destroy fibroid tissue, via laparoscopic (Acessa) or transcervical (Sonata) systems. Recovery is typically quick; long-term fertility data are growing but still limited.
MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS): A noninvasive option that uses focused ultrasound energy to ablate fibroids under MRI guidance. Suitable for select patients based on fibroid size, number, and location.
Endometrial ablation: Treats heavy bleeding by destroying the uterine lining. May help if bleeding is the main symptom and fibroids are small and close to the cavity, but it is not appropriate if you want future pregnancies.

Definitive treatment

Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus eliminates fibroids and bleeding. It ends fertility and requires a recovery period; for some, it’s the best choice when symptoms are severe or other treatments haven’t worked.

Important safety note: When considering minimally invasive surgery for fibroids, ask about how tissue will be removed. The FDA has issued safety communications about the use of power morcellation because of the rare risk of spreading an unsuspected uterine cancer; containment systems and alternative techniques may be recommended. Your surgeon should review risks, benefits, and safeguards.

Choosing the right specialist—and questions to ask

Shared decision-making is key. Consider seeking opinions from both an OB-GYN and, when appropriate, an interventional radiologist or fertility specialist. Helpful questions include:

Where are my fibroids located (submucosal, intramural, subserosal), and how do they relate to my symptoms?
Which treatments fit my goals (symptom control vs. fertility preservation vs. definitive cure)?
What are the benefits, risks, and recovery times for each option?
How will this affect my chances of getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy?
What is the likelihood of fibroid recurrence?
How many of these procedures do you perform each year, and what outcomes do you see?
For surgery: How will tissue be removed, and will a containment system be used if morcellation is considered?

Bottom line

Start with an OB-GYN for evaluation. Many effective, evidence-based treatments exist—from medications to uterus-sparing procedures and definitive surgery. The best approach depends on your symptoms and life plans. With the right team and information, most people find meaningful relief and regain control over their health.

This article is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerning symptoms, contact a qualified clinician.