Fibroid Specialist Urges Women to Research Treatment Options Before Medical Visits

by Tahna Weston

tahna.weston@antiguaobserver.com

Women considering treatment for fibroids should consult reliable online sources before visiting a doctor so they can make informed decisions about their care, a reproductive specialist has advised.

Dr Ebby Stewart, a reproductive endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, made the recommendation during an interview on Observer AM.

Dr Stewart said learning about the condition beforehand can help patients have more informed discussions with their doctors about the treatment best suited to them.

“Educating yourself before you talk to your doctor is helpful,” she said, pointing to online resources provided by the Mayo Clinic and the US National Institutes of Health-funded CO-EQUAL study.

She also identified the Fibroid Foundation and the White Dress Project as patient advocacy organisations whose websites provide useful information.

Dr Stewart cautioned, however, that not all online sources are reliable and urged women to distinguish between unsupported social media claims and verified medical information.

“You may see a TikTok video about something somebody says worked for them, even though there is no scientific evidence that it does,” she said. “But there are trusted websites where you can get good information, including the risks associated with a procedure.”