When Fibroids Become an Emergency

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When Fibroids Become an Emergency: What Brings Patients to the ER?

Emergency room visits for uterine fibroids often reflect gaps in timely care, effective symptom management, and patient education. This session explores the key clinical, social, and systemic factors that lead patients to seek urgent care, including severe pelvic pain, heavy or uncontrolled bleeding, anemia-related complications, and fibroid degeneration. It also examines patterns of ER use and highlights disparities driven by delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialty care, and broader health inequities.

The session emphasizes the importance of patient-centered guidance on when to seek emergency care—encouraging individuals to go to the ER if they are concerned, if symptoms remain consistently concerning, or if there is any sudden or significant change in their condition. Through case examples and practical strategies, attendees will identify opportunities for earlier intervention, improved care coordination, and better patient education to reduce preventable ER visits and support more proactive, equitable fibroid management.

• Recognize When Fibroids Become Emergencies- Attendees will be able to identify the most common acute fibroid-related symptoms—such as severe pain, heavy bleeding, and anemia—and understand when these warrant emergency care.
   
• Understand Drivers of ER Utilization and Disparities- Participants will gain insight into why patients seek ER care, including gaps in access, delayed diagnosis, and inequities, helping them better address root causes in their own settings.
   
• Apply Strategies to Reduce Preventable ER Visits- Attendees will leave with practical approaches to improve patient education, guide appropriate ER use (especially when patients are concerned, symptoms persist, or conditions change), and strengthen early intervention and care coordination.

This session aims to shift the focus from reactive emergency care toward proactive, patient-centered fibroid management and is ideal for anyone interested in exploring ways to better support women’s health.