Millions of women worldwide experience the ongoing and at times debilitating symptoms caused by uterine fibroids. Perhaps you’ve read the stories online and heard from friends and family. Or maybe you’re experiencing them firsthand right now—heavy or inconsistent menstrual bleeding, cramping, back pain, and fatigue. Every woman’s fibroid journey is different, but the one thing they have in common is that life has been interrupted. It is very common for a doctor or gynecologist to advise a hysterectomy for a fibroid diagnosis, so much so that by age 60, one in every three women will have had one of these surgeries. A hysterectomy can be a good thing in some cases. However, more and more women are realizing that fibroid surgery is not their only option. They can still rid themselves of fibroid symptoms by choosing alternatives such as Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE).
Have you considered this innovative treatment option? UFE is over 90% effective at eliminating fibroid symptoms, and it is not a surgical procedure. With that comes a lengthy list of benefits, including that it costs less and requires less time in recovery compared to a hysterectomy. Despite these benefits and the fact that more women are becoming aware of their options, UFE is still significantly underutilized in the United States. To put this statement into proper context, consider that 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the U.S. each year. Comparatively, most recent statistics suggest that only 25,000 UFE procedures are performed annually.
It is very common for a doctor or gynecologist to advise on a hysterectomy for a fibroid diagnosis, so much so that by age 60, one in every three women will have had one of these surgeries.
Beyond performing these UFE procedures, our team of fibroid doctor interventional radiologists at Fibroid Institute Texas believes that now, more than ever, it is essential for women to understand their options when it comes to treating fibroids.
Hysterectomy or UFE: Every Woman Deserves Options
A hysterectomy is a common surgical procedure used to permanently treat various conditions affecting a woman’s reproductive organs. This includes uterine fibroids. How common, exactly? Well, it is currently the second most common gynecological surgery after C-section. And again, it is highly effective. By removing all or part of a woman’s uterus and, in some cases, the fallopian tubes and ovaries, everywhere these noncancerous muscle growths could possibly grow and cause discomfort has now been removed.
With this surgical procedure, you can expect to overcome these and other telltale fibroid symptoms:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Debilitating cramps, pelvic pain, and pressure
- Periods that last longer than a week
- Pain during sex
- Back or leg pain
- Urinary frequency
- Weight gain or bloating, and swelling in the abdomen
- Constipation, diarrhea, and rectal discomfort
- Excessive fatigue
In certain circumstances, your doctor will recommend a hysterectomy because it’s the only option to save your life. For instance, it may be necessary for patients who are suffering from invasive cancer of the uterus, ovaries, cervix, or endometrium, severe Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, uncontrollable uterine bleeding, or complications during childbirth.
A hysterectomy can be performed through the vagina, abdomen, or laparoscopically. Furthermore, there are generally three approaches depending on the patient’s unique needs:
- Partial hysterectomy — Your doctor will only remove part of the uterus and possibly the ovaries while keeping the cervix intact. You will no longer be able to have children, though it is possible that your ovaries could keep producing hormones until menopause.
- Total hysterectomy — With this procedure, the entire uterus and cervix are removed. The fallopian tubes and ovaries will likely also be removed in cases where a cancer threat is highest.
- Radical hysterectomy — This procedure is reserved for extreme cases where cervical or uterine cancer is present. It involves removing the uterus, the cervix and its surrounding tissue, and the upper part of the vagina. The fallopian tubes and the ovaries may or may not be removed.
UFE vs. Hysterectomy: Comparison Chart
Why Is UFE Underutilized Compared to a Hysterectomy?
If a woman is a viable candidate and is not stuck with a hysterectomy as her only option, UFE is a wonderful alternative. Rather than physically remove fibroids through invasive and bloody surgical incisions, UFE blocks blood flow to the fibroids through nonessential blood vessels. Without this blood supply, fibroids no longer have what they need to thrive and even grow inside your uterus. As a result, they shrink and die—thus eliminating fibroid symptoms.
There are several methods for performing UFE, including through the wrist or the femoral artery in the groin. At Fibroid Institute, we typically use the wrist unless a patient wishes otherwise. Your UFE doctor, also known as an interventional radiologist, makes a small puncture on your wrist and, with help from a catheter, injects tiny particles known as embolic material that block nonessential blood vessels leading to the fibroids. It is a low-risk procedure, doesn’t require incisions, and is faster than some of the other alternatives.
Despite these benefits, UFE remains underutilized. In fact, many women feel like a hysterectomy is pushed on them more than alternatives like UFE. According to a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, as many as 1 in 5 women in the United States whose doctor recommended a hysterectomy do not need one. Meanwhile, the same researchers found that 37.7% of women included in the study had no documentation indicating they tried alternative treatment before undergoing a hysterectomy.
As many as 1 in 5 women in the United States whose doctor recommended a hysterectomy do not need one. Meanwhile, the same researchers found that 37.7% of women included in the study had no documentation indicating they tried alternative treatment before undergoing a hysterectomy.
This is not because doctors have a hidden agenda. In fact, the thought of recommending another treatment option might not cross their mind. Fibroid Institute’s Founder and Medical Director Dr. Suzanne Slonim explains, “In many cases, gynecologists are trained to perform surgery. Some doctors are taught in medical school that the uterus is a disposable organ. Once a woman is finished having children, if the uterus causes any problems, doctors are often taught that it should be removed. Additionally, the presence of the uterus allows the possibility of a woman developing cervical cancer or endometrial cancer.” If your doctor recommends fibroid surgery and no other options, they may simply be advising what they believe to be the best treatment option for you.
Not all gynecologists subscribe to the surgery-only protocol. Some have heard about UFE but are unsure how well it works. Until they have a patient who has undergone the procedure and reports how well she feels afterward, they may be reluctant to recommend UFE as an alternative to hysterectomy. This suggests that some doctors still see hysterectomies as the best—and only—solution for their patients and possibly don’t entertain less invasive options.
Despite their intent to look out for their patients’ best interests, doctors not exploring other options can be problematic. If a woman with symptomatic fibroids says she will not have surgery, and the gynecologist does not offer another option, the patient may decide to find another doctor. Furthermore, if the reasoning as to why removing the uterus were extended to other anatomy, doctors would recommend a double mastectomy after a woman finished nursing her children. Can you imagine that? What if a doctor suggested taking out the testes after a man was finished fathering children?
Sometimes, there is a definite need for hysterectomy, especially if you have cancer. But if you have fibroids, you may be a candidate for Uterine Fibroid Embolization. UFE is a minimally invasive procedure for women with fibroids who prefer not to undergo surgery, offering a safe and effective non-surgical treatment option.
Fibroid Institute Is Your Source for UFE Over Hysterectomy
Women are more educated than ever about their fibroid treatment options. Yes, hysterectomies are still the leading option many doctors suggest. However, UFE is becoming the gold standard—especially when considering that it is non-surgical, offers faster recovery times, and yields effective outcomes. The only decision left is to choose the right UFE doctor, aka interventional radiologist, to provide fibroid embolization. Beyond the procedure itself, many women want a doctor who provides access, communication, comfort, innovation, trust, and a supportive experience from start to finish. Fibroid Institute Texas is here to do just that.
At Fibroid Institute, we set the standard of care for advanced fibroid treatment, helping women achieve a fibroid-free life. We specialize in UFE because it delivers exceptional results in the least amount of time and with limited pain. On top of that, we simplify your UFE journey, managing everything from insurance to PCP communication and offering all patients physician-direct cell phone access before and after their procedure.
With multiple locations, our Dallas and Houston fibroid clinics help thousands of women avoid fibroid surgery and find relief from their fibroid symptoms. Our fibroid doctors are board-certified interventional radiologists and experts passionate about helping women.
Request a free 10-15-minute phone screening to determine if you are eligible. If you qualify for UFE after the screening, you can schedule your on-site or telehealth consultation. Most major medical insurance providers cover the cost of UFE. Get started now in Dallas at 214-838-6440, in Houston at 713-903-3733 or complete the form below. We are dedicated to helping you become #FibroidFree.
This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before starting any new treatment or if you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.
Fibroid Institute Texas serves the Dallas and Houston areas including Addison, Carrollton, Plano, Frisco, Craig Ranch, McKinney, Allen, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Arlington, Hutchins, Irving, Duncanville, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Cockrell Hill, Highland Park, University Park, Park Cities, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Dallas, Sherman, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Clear Lake, The Woodlands, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, and more.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.
