For a woman in her childbearing years, hearing she needs a hysterectomy is among the worst news she could ever receive. Not only would she lose her uterus, but the operation itself can be dangerous and painful. For women around the world with uterine fibroids, this scenario has played out millions of times.

Now there is a minimally invasive procedure to treat fibroids – without dangerous surgery and without telling a woman she has to give up her uterus.

Uterine fibroids, from unnoticeable to a nightmare
Doctors don’t know what causes uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths. They range in size from small seedlings, undetectable to the human eye, to large, bulky masses that can distort the uterus – sometimes expanding to reach the rib cage. Uterine fibroids often have symptoms that go undetected, such as:

• Constant pelvic pain
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Anemia
• Frequent urination
• Constipation
• Back pain
• Infertility

“Uterine fibroids that are large or in a location that irritates the uterus can sometimes cause symptoms,” says Steven Smith, MD, an interventional radiologist with Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital. In fact, many fibroids are found accidentally during annual pelvic exams and then confirmed using an ultrasound. “That’s why it’s so important for women to get their annual exams even if they are feeling fine,” he says.

Finding hope in UFE
Nearly one third of all hysterectomies performed each year are to treat fibroids. “With hysterectomy, patients pay a permanent price that may not be necessary,” Dr. Smith says. “Every woman who is advised to have this surgery should get a second opinion.”

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a high-tech procedure used by interventional radiologists to destroy uterine fibroids. These experts in minimally invasive procedures insert a catheter into an artery in the upper leg. From there, they use X-ray guidance and inject tiny particles into the fibroids, which cuts off their blood supply – causing them to shrink and die.

Patients stay at the hospital overnight and need only one week of recovery, compared to six weeks for a hysterectomy. In addition to being easier on patients, there are no incisions involved in UFE, no scaring and no pain or blood loss. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology states there is scientific proof that UFE is a “safe and effective option” for women.

In 1998, Dr. Smith and his interventional radiology colleagues at Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital performed the first UFE procedure in Illinois and have been changing the lives of women ever since. “At Adventist Midwest Health, we make sure women in our community have access to the latest medical advancements,” Dr. Smith says.