How to Choose a Fibroid Specialist for Optimal Care

Dealing with uterine fibroids can feel a bit overwhelming, and you’re definitely not the only one trying to figure out the best way forward. Millions of women across the U.S. live with fibroids, and a pretty large portion of them end up needing some kind of treatment.

To make things a little easier, here are so practical tips that might help you find a specialist who actually fits what you need, not just what sounds good on paper..

Check Their Credentials and Real Experience

You want someone who actually knows what they’re doing—sounds obvious, but it’s worth digging into:

Board Certification: Ideally, they’re certified in Diagnostic and Interventional Vascular Radiology. This usually means they’ve had in-depth training in minimally invasive fibroid procedures.
Years in Practice: It’s okay to ask how long they’ve been treating fibroids specifically. Experience really does matter here.
Ongoing Training: Specialists who regularly attend workshops or conferences tend to stay on top of newer, better treatment methods.
Extra Certifications: Things like the ABVLM can show they’re serious about perfecting catheter-based and vascular procedures.

Sometimes these details feel like small print, but they often tell you a lot about the care you’ll get.

Choose Someone Who Truly Specializes in Fibroids

Some doctors treat fibroids occasionally, while others pretty much dedicate their whole practice and they truely know what is a degenerating fibroid—and that difference can really show.

Focused Practice: A specialist who mainly treats fibroids will probably understand the nuances more clearly.
Case Volume: Higher case numbers often point to more refined skills, simply from repetition.
Research Background: If they’re involved in fibroid-related studies, they might be more familiar with newer or evolving treatment options.

You’re basically looking for someone who works with fibroids day in and day out.

Ask About All Available Treatment Options

Fibroid treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. A good specialist will talk you through multiple approaches, not just the one they prefer.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE): This minimally invasive option is common, and, honestly, a lot of women find relief with it. Feel free to ask how many UFEs they’ve performed and what kind of results their patients usually see. The more options they offer and explain clearly, the better chance you’ll have at finding something that actually fits your goals.

Look for Truly Patient-Centered Care

You want a specialist who sees you, not just your scans.

A solid evaluation might include:

Your medical history
A physical exam
Ultrasound or MRI
Bloodwork (things like anemia show up a lot with fibroids)

When it comes to planning treatment, the doctor should consider things like your symptoms, the size and location of the fibroids, and whether you’re hoping to get pregnant in the future. Ideally, they walk through everything with you so decisions don’t feel rushed or one-sided.