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John Lipman

Bio

Dr. Lipman, Sharecare Editorial Advisory Board, is an internationally recognized expert in the treatment of uterine fibroids. He has given over 200 invited lectures on Women's Health topics including Harvard, Stanford, Vanderbilt, and Yale Medical Centers. He has appeared live on CNN with Wolf Blitzer and has been interviewed for USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Jet, The Health Network, Family Circle, and WebMD. Education: • MD: Georgetown University School of Medicine, Residency: • Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Fellowship: • Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology Yale New-Haven Hospital, Yale Medical School.

Specialties:

  • radiology

Affiliation:

  • Atlanta Interventional Institute

Location:

Activity

  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    How big is a uterine fibroid?
    Fibroids can be as small as a pea or as large as a small melon. It can enlarge the uterus just like a developing baby does. Gynecologists will often describe a woman who they are examining with fibroids in terms of the corresponding size of a pregnant woman. For example, a woman whose fibroids have...  Full Post
  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    Can a uterine fibroid cause leg pain?

    Yes it can. If a fibroid is of sufficient size it can press on pelvic nerves to cause pain that can be felt in the pelvis which can radiate in to the lower back, hip, buttock, or down the leg. This is often worse just before or during the menses.

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  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    How do fibroids develop?

    In May of 2012, the trigger which initiates the growth of uterine fibroids was discovered for the first time. This molecular trigger is a single stem cell which develops a particular mutation (MED 12). Following this, the cells grow rapidly and out of control in response to steroid hormones (ex.

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  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    Can women with uterine fibroids become pregnant?
    Yes. Many women with fibroids are able to conceive, carry, and deliver children normally. However, fibroids can interfere with every part of the fertility pathway from conception to delivery. Fibroids located in or near the lining of the uterus can prevent a woman from conceiving or cause recurrent...  Full Post
  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    Can I get uterine fibroids again even if I've been treated for them before?
    Yes. There are global treatments and local treatments for fibroids. The 2 global treatments are hysterectomy and UFE. Local treatments for fibroids include surgical myomectomy (surgically removing of a portion of the fibroid burden) and more recently MRI guided focused ultrasound (MRIgFUS). If...  Full Post
  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    Are fibroids common?

    Uterine fibroids are very common. One in every three women of child-bearing age have fibroids, and up to 80% of African-American women of child-bearing age have these benign tumors.

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  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    What causes uterine fibroids?
    No one know what causes fibroids. They are typically seen in women of child-bearing age and more common in African-American women than women of other racial groups.  Full Post
  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    Can uterine fibroids cause permanent damage?

    No. Fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus. They may or may not cause symptoms to the woman, but irrespective of this, they do not cause any permanent damage to the uterus or other adjacent organs. The decision to treat fibroids is based entirely on whether or not there are significant symptoms

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  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    How can fibroids cause urinary symptoms?
    Fibroids commonly cause urinary symptoms. They are hard and firm tumors made up of smooth muscle and fibrous tissue. When these tumors are located in the front of the uterus, they can compress the bladder like a paperweight. This does not allow the bladder to fill to its capacity, resulting in in...  Full Post
  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    What is "watchful waiting" of fibroids?

    "Watchful waiting" is recommended when fibroids are present in the uterus but not currently causing any symptoms to the woman. This means that the woman is not being treated with any specific therapy for her fibroids. She will continue to be on the lookout for the development of any symptoms which

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  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    Is back pain a symptom of fibroids?
    It can be. Depending on where the fibroids are located will determine what if any symptoms the woman may experience. Fibroids located centrally in the uterus can displace the lining causing heavy menstrual flow. Those that are in the anterior part of the uterus can compress the bladder causing in...  Full Post
  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    Can children get uterine fibroids?

    Rarely. Fibroids are typically seen in women of child-bearing age; most commonly between ages 30-55. However, women in their twenties and even on rare occasions women in their late teens will have fibroids detected. African-American women not only have a higher incidence of fibroids than other racial

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  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    What are intramural fibroids?

    Fibroids are benign, non-cancerous tumors that involve the uterus. Fibroids can be classified based on their location in the uterus. There are 3 types of fibroids based on this classification. 1. Submucosal: along the lining of the uterus, 2. Intramural: in the muscular portion of the uterus, and

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  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    How does polycystic ovary syndrome affect the body?
    Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is due to an imbalance in a woman's sex hormones with increased androgen (ex. testosterone) production. While testosterone is a male hormone, women also have this hormone at lower levels. This increased "male hormone" production is typically seen in women in their...  Full Post
  • John Lipman
    John Lipman answered:
    What increases my risk for uterine fibroids?
    No one knows what causes uterine fibroids, and therefore it is not possible to prevent them from forming. The following 3 factors increase your risk for developing fibroids: being a woman of childbearing age, being of African-American ancestry, and being obese. While we can't change our genetics,...  Full Post