Finding the Right Fibroid Treatment: 
Zamala’s Story and The Power of Shared Decision-Making

For many women with symptomatic uterine fibroids, their daily routine may be disrupted by heavy periods and pain. Fibroids, which are noncancerous tumors that develop inside the uterus and are made up of muscle and connective tissue, are common. Nearly 80% of women will develop them during their lifetime.¹ Alongside heavy bleeding, fibroids can cause a list of other frustrating symptoms like bloating, bladder problems, and fatigue.

If you have symptomatic fibroids and are looking for relief, you may have been told a hysterectomy is your only option. That was the case for Zamala Cortes, who suffered for years with pain and heavy bleeding due to the uterine health condition. However, she didn’t want to have major surgery and hoped to start a family.

“When I first found out that I had fibroids, I thought I was doomed”

Zamala

When the options she was given felt limited, she decided to seek a second opinion. Zamala’s journey to symptom relief highlights how advocating for your health, informed conversations and shared decision-making with your doctor can help you feel heard, respected, and confident in your path forward.

A Personalized Approach 

Being offered a hysterectomy as the only option can feel frustrating, but it’s not the end of the conversation. There are minimally invasive procedures that can help relieve fibroid symptoms like heavy bleeding and pain.

In her search for relief, Zamala found Dr. Taraneh Shirazian^*, a gynecologic surgeon who specializes in treating fibroids and abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Together, they talked through Zamala’s treatment options and fertility.

“We reviewed each of the options, including the associated pluses and minuses and what to expect, considering Zamala’s preferences and goals,” says Dr. Shirazian. “For example, with major surgery, it’s a little more definitive, but there are also negatives like more healing, so all of those things come into play with the decision-making.”

Shared Decisions Can Lead to Better Outcomes 

Zamala’s story shows what’s possible when doctors and patients work as a team, using medical evidence and the patient’s priorities to determine the best treatment option. Studies suggest that when patients engage in shared decision making, they tend to feel more satisfied with their care and experience less uncertainty about their choices.²

“We know that healthcare visits are limited in time, so I recommend to patients that they bring a list of questions with them to their appointments,” says Dr. Shirazian. “Do some of your own research ahead of time, because that will help formulate discussions with your doctor.”

Despite how common fibroids are, it takes 3.6 years³ on average before women seek treatment for the condition. Reasons for the delay include difficulty accessing care, feeling uncomfortable talking to a doctor, or the belief that painful, heavy periods are normal. Dr. Shirazian encourages all women to ask questions during their appointments to better understand their symptoms and treatment options.

“The most important thing is listening, and I think as physicians we sometimes don’t do enough listening,” shared Dr. Shirazian. “We’re always struggling for time. But it’s important to hear what the patient is saying, what they’re not saying, what their concerns are and what their fears are, because that really helps us guide the discussion and the communication.”

For any medical condition, regardless of the treatment or test that’s chosen, Dr. Shirazian emphasizes that there’s value in every path forward, so long as the decision is informed and centered on the individual patient.

“What stood out to me most was that I wasn’t just handed an option and told, ‘This is it.’
I had a choice.” 

Zamala

If you have symptoms that affect your daily life or are facing tough choices about your fibroid treatment, don’t hesitate to speak up, ask questions, and seek a second opinion. Your voice matters in your healthcare decisions, and you have options that are uterine-sparing and don’t require a long recovery.

We’re here to help you take your first steps toward better!