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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

Your first appointment will likely be with either your primary care provider or a gynecologist.

Because appointments can be brief, and it can be difficult to remember everything you want to discuss, it's a good idea to prepare in advance of your appointment.

What you can do

  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing. Include all of your symptoms, even if you don't think they're related.
  • Make a list of any medications and vitamin supplements you take. Write down doses and how often you take them.
  • Have a family member or close friend accompany you, if possible. You may be given a lot of information at your visit, and it can be difficult to remember everything.
  • Take a notebook or notepad with you. Use it to write down important information during your visit.
  • Prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor. List your most important questions first, in case time runs out.

For uterine fibroids, some basic questions to ask include:

  • How many fibroids do I have? How big are they?
  • Are the fibroids located on the inside or outside of my uterus?
  • What kinds of tests might I need?
  • What medications are available to treat uterine fibroids? Is there a certain medication that can improve my symptoms?
  • What side effects can I expect from medication use?
  • Under what circumstances do you recommend surgery?
  • Will I need a medication before or after surgery?
  • What kind of problems can fibroids cause?
  • Will uterine fibroids affect my ability to become pregnant?
  • Can treatment of uterine fibroids improve my fertility?
  • Can you recommend any alternative treatments I might try?

Make sure that you understand completely everything that your doctor tells you. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor to repeat information or to ask follow-up questions for clarification.

What to expect from your doctor
Some potential questions your doctor might ask include:

  • How often do you experience these symptoms?
  • How long have you been experiencing symptoms?
  • How severe are your symptoms?
  • Do your symptoms seem to be related to your menstrual cycle?
  • Does anything improve your symptoms?
  • Does anything make your symptoms worse?
  • Do you have a family history of uterine fibroids?
Tests and diagnosis Complications
References
  1. Haney AF. Leiomyomata. In: Gibb RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:916.
  2. Baird DD, et al. High cumulative incidence of uterine leiomyoma in black and white women: Ultrasound evidence. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2003;188:100.
  3. Stewart EA. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and natural history of uterine leiomyomas. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 17, 2011.
  4. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Alternatives to hysterectomy in the management of leiomyomas. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2008;112:387.
  5. Peddada SD, et al. Growth of uterine leiomyomata among premenopausal black and white women. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2010;105:19887.
  6. Laughlin SK, et al. Uterine leiomyomas: Individualizing the approach to a heterogeneous condition. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2011;117:396.
  7. Uterine fibroids. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp074.cfm. Accessed May 17, 2011.
  8. Stewart EA. Pathogenesis of uterine leiomyomas. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 17, 2009.
  9. Management of uterine fibroids: An update of the evidence. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/uterupdate/uterup.pdf. Accessed May 17, 2011.
  10. Stewart EA. Overview of treatment of uterine leiomyomas. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 17, 2011.
  11. Marshall LM, et al. A prospective study of reproductive factors and oral contraceptive use in relation to the risk of uterine leiomyomata. Fertility and Sterility. 1998;70:432.
  12. Faerstein E, et al. Risk factors for uterine leiomyoma: A practice-based case control study. I. African-American heritage, reproductive history, body size, and smoking. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2001;153:1.
  13. Chiaffarino F, et al. Use of oral contraceptives and uterine fibroids: Results from a case-control study. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1999;106:857.
  14. Stewart EA. Alternative and complementary therapies. In: Stewart EA. Uterine Fibroids: The Complete Guide. Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins University Press; 2007:172.
  15. Salman T, et al. Uterine fibroids, management and effect on fertility. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2010;22:295.
  16. Al Hilli MM, et al. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery. Seminars in reproductive medicine. 2010;28:242.
  17. Wise LA, et al. Reproductive factors, hormonal contraception, and risk of uterine leiomyomata in African-American women: A prospective study. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2004;159:113.
  18. Pritts EA, et al. Fibroids and infertility: An updated systematic review of the evidence. Fertility and Sterility. 2009;91:1215.
  19. Stewart EA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 25, 2011.
DS00078 June 11, 2011

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