Fibroids are the most common type of non-cancerous tumors found in women of reproductive age, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Located in the uterus, they can vary in size and in number. By the age of 50, a majority of women will have one or more fibroids. The cause of fibroids is not fully understood, but hormones and genes are believed to play a role.

In this Q&A, Tamara N. Kolev, MD, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist at Mount Sinai Health System, answers frequently asked questions about fibroids and explains minimally invasive procedures for treatment. Dr. Kolev specializes in gynecological treatments using minimally invasive procedures and is involved in research on gynecological topics.

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are benign growths in the female uterus that are comprised of muscular tissue. They are present in about 70 percent to 80 percent of women. However, not all fibroids cause symptoms, so often women will not even know that they have fibroids.

What are the common symptoms of fibroids?

Some of the common symptoms for fibroids include abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, and back pain. Some women may experience problems with urination or bowel movements.

When do fibroids need to be treated?

Not all fibroids have to be treated, especially in women who do not have symptoms. However, when a woman experiences frequent heavy vaginal bleeding, treatment often is recommended. One minimally invasive approach is transcervical fibroid ablation.

What is transcervical fibroid ablation?

Transcervical fibroid ablation is an incisionless approach to treating fibroids. We use an ultrasound probe that is inserted through the vagina and through the cervix to identify the targeted fibroid. Then we use radiofrequency to ablate, or remove, the fibroid. This is usually performed in an outpatient surgical center, and the patient is able to go home the same day.

When do women see results?

Typically, patients will see results within three months of the procedure, with a majority of patients reporting a significant reduction in menstrual bleeding, along with a marked improvement in quality of life and symptoms. Over time, the previously heated fibroid tissue is broken down by the body, leading to a shrinkage of the fibroids.

Are there any side effects?

After the procedure, some patients may experience some irregular bleeding or cramping, which is completely normal. Patients will begin to see significant benefits of the procedure in approximately three months.

Who is a good candidate for the procedure?

Candidates for the procedure are women who suffer from heavy vaginal bleeding from fibroids. We can treat more than one fibroid during the procedure, as well as remove fibroids that vary in size and that are located in different areas of the uterus. The great thing about the procedures is that we can target more than one fibroid at the same time.

Are there other minimally invasive treatment options?

Uterine fibroid embolization is a nonsurgical procedure that typically takes place in the radiology suite. A radiologist blocks the blood supply to the uterus, which helps to shrink the fibroids.

 Are there other ways to treat fibroids?

There are multiple ways to manage fibroids. In addition to minimally invasive procedures, there is medical management, including hormonal treatment. Finally, there are surgical options, such as myomectomy, which is removal of the fibroids, or a hysterectomy, which removes the uterus.

Call to Action: Learn more about the Mount Sinai Fibroid Center of New York: https://www.mountsinai.org/care/obgyn/services/fibroid-care

Sunglasses do more than make us look good. They protect our eyes from short-term strain and discomfort as well as long-term damage such as blindness and eyelid skin cancer.

But just as sunglasses provide many different styles, they can also offer differing levels of protection from the sun. In this Q&A, Christina Cherny, OD, FAAO, an optometrist and an Instructor of Ophthalmology at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, explains what to look for in sunglasses.

Why is it important to wear sunglasses?

Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. You should make sure you have sunglasses that protect 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. These rays can cause damage to the eye. If you don’t wear sunglasses, you can develop eye cancer as well as cancerous and noncancerous growths on the outside of the eye, the eyelid, and around the eye. At the back of the eye, sunglasses can protect against macular degeneration and other conditions that can lead to blindness. Sunglasses can also slow the process of developing cataracts, which affect many people as we age.

How should I pick sunglasses?

Make sure the sunglasses provide 100 percent protection from UVA and UVB rays. Some inexpensive plastic ones don’t have UV protection, so they’re not helpful. You should get as dark a tint as possible; it doesn’t matter if the lens is brown, green, blue, or gray, as long as it is dark. Look for glasses with big lenses. Some people walk around with a tiny trendy sunglasses; these will protect the eyeball itself but not the skin around the eye or the eyelid. You should have good coverage.

What about polarized glasses and anti-reflective coating? Are those helpful?

Polarized glasses reduce glare, which is especially good if you are going to be boating or near water. Anti-reflective coating, too, can help reduce glare and help you see more clearly. You can get and anti-glare coating and polarized lenses in regular glasses as well as sunglasses.

Do mirrored sunglasses protect the eyes?

No. Mirrored sunglasses are just for fashion.

If I wear prescription glasses, should I also wear prescription sunglasses?

Yes. If you want to see clearly and protect your eyes, the two main options are wearing contact lenses under plain sunglasses or putting a prescription into your sunglasses. I’m also a big fan of clip-on sunglasses. I like the magnetic ones and traditional clip-ons. You should make sure that the clip-on sunglasses are UV protected.

Do you recommend transition glasses?

Transition glasses have lenses that look like regular lenses when you’re inside, but get darker when you go outside. The thing to keep in mind is that UV rays are what sets them off. So if you’re in a car where the windshield has UV blocker, the glasses aren’t going to change color. Transitions glasses also tend not to get as dark as regular dark sunglasses so they will not be as protective. They also take a few minutes to change, which can make it hard when you go from bright sunshine outside to a darker space indoors. As long as they’re UV protected, transition glasses are perfectly safe; they might just not be quite as dark or helpful as regular dark sunglasses.

How often should I replace my sunglasses?

Sunglasses don’t have an expiration date. But scratches make them less effective. If your sunglasses are scratched up, or if you have any questions, talk with your eye care professional.