Phyllis J. Gee M.D. earned her B.S. in nutrition from Cornell University. She then received her M.D. from Wayne State University School of Medicine and did her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York.
Dr. Gee began her career serving in the National Health Service Corps as a member of the faculty of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital at Harlem Hospital Center in New York.
Now in practice for more than 27 years, she and her dedicated staff provide alternative, complementary and traditional medical care to women of all ages. Her philosophy of care stresses prevention and patient education.
Dr. Gee now practices in Frisco, Texas. She has a special interests in nutrition and weight management, female sexuality, menopause, fibroids, endometriosis and adolescent gynecology. She has served a diverse patient population and provided a full range of care to thousands of women.
Dr. Gee is the founder and medical director of the North Texas Uterine Fibroid Institute, a group of prominent gynecologists offering an innovative technology for the non-invasive treatment of uterine fibroids. Dr. Gee was the first gynecologist in the U.S. to perform this surgery.
She currently serves on the editorial board for OB/GYN.net and is a national speaker for Myriad Genetic Laboratories.Gee is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
She is a member of the Dallas County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association and American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists.
What is the name of the new fibroid Surgery that was developed 2 years ago? And what is the purpose and results of having this surgery?
Acessa Radiofrequency Uterine Fibroied Ablation is a minimally invasive surgery to target destruction of each individual fibroid under ultrasound guidance. It is an outpatient procedure and has shown excellent results of relief of symptoms due to the destruction and shrinkage of the tumors. Check out www.haltmedical.com or acessa.com.
Do perms cause fibroids?
There is some recent reporting the there may be a link between relaxers and fibroids but I am not aware of any good data to support the claim.
I’ve heard fibroids could be connected to high blood pressure?
There does seem to be some increased prevalence among women with hypertension but this may be linked to the increased risk of obesity and other health issues associated with fibroids.
How young could you be to have fibroids?
They can occur at any age (my youngest patient was 17) but they are most prevalent in the 30’s and 40’s.
Will fibroids shrink on their own after menopause?
Yes, nearly all fibroids shrink after menopause, even in women on low-dose hormone replacement therapy.
After a total hysterectomy, will hot flushes ever stop? It has been two years.
Yes, but everyone is different. There are non-hormonal options. Talk to your physician.
Can you repeat the last fibroid procedure Dr. Gee recommended?
Acessa Radiofrequency Uterine Fibroid Ablations. www.haltmedical.com
Can you talk about polycystic ovarian symptoms and is it hard for African
American women to get pregnant if they have it?
They are not related. Pregnancy is definitely possible, but may require reproductive assistance.
Can fibroids contribute to weight gain?
Yes, but not to the degree that most women think they do.
How long does it take before fibroids dissolve on their own?
Once fibroids die, they shrink and are reabsorbed by the body, but how long varies depending on the size and number.
I am in the military and got a shot to stop my period during Desert Storm. I bled the whole 6 months, every day. Years later, I developed grapefruit-size fibroids and had amyomectomy. Could the shot have caused the fibroids?
Not likely.
I am a 40-year-old African-American woman and my doctor has suggested that I have a hysterectomy done because the fibroids I have are growing. I am a little nervous about the procedure and just want to know if there are any other alternatives to having a hysterectomy?
Most definitely there are. See my website for resources. www.phyllisgeemd.com
What are the possibilities for pregnancy after this new targeted fibroid treatment? And can new ones grow back?
We do not have clinical data comparing this procedure to other treatment options, as it relates to future pregnancy. But there have been at least 6 pregnancies with at least 5 live births in patients treated this way. Because it is minimally invasive, the hope is that the risk is no greater than with myomectomy, but again there is no head-to-head comparison. Just as with myomectomy, you can develop new fibroids after current ones are treated, but the procedure could certainly be repeated to treat them if necessary.
The procedure that is not covered by insurance that you mentioned,are there any OBGYN doctors in Central Florida that perform the surgery? Where can I find out more information, and how does it affect fertility?
There is a facility in Boca Raton, FL which I believe is still treating patients. Dr Susie LeBlang is an interventional radiologist and she is wonderful.
Do fibroids shrink during the perimenopausal phase and can they cause spotting?
Fibroids are very unpredicable in perimenopause. They can stay the same, grow or occasionally shrink if they undergo degeneration and die on their own.
Do you recommend any natural or holistic approaches for dealing with fibroids?
Definitely. Eat a diet rich in cruciferous (i.e. Brussel sprouts and broccoli) or leafy vegetables and fruits that are whole food-based instead of processed, high in fiber and less refined with more organic selections. Also there is good evidence for daily vitamin D supplementation (check your blood levels first) and green tea consumption.
Can methotrexate injections be used to treat fibroids?
No, this is not an indicated use for that medication.
A few months ago, my daughter was bleeding longer than usual and was in constant pain, with large blood clots. She went to several doctors, the ER and an urgent care center. My daughter is a large girl. She was told its because of her size. Some didn’t examine her, but said the same thing. She is 25 and has never had these problems. Should someone have checked her for tumors?
She should have had a complete exam and evaluation and her size prohibits adequate assessment, she may need an ultrasound as well.
