Tanya* said her fibroid journey wasn’t unlike many women. Her menstrual cycles consistently lasted nearly three weeks each time. Her periods included intense cramping, bloating, and the ever-present mental, physical, and emotional fatigue due to never really experiencing a break in her symptoms. On top of that, she was sure she wasn’t the only one whose doctor insisted that hysterectomy was the only option. Where she said her path forward veered in a different direction was when she repeatedly questioned if her only option truly was fibroid removal—so much so that she canceled hysterectomy surgery three or four times to delay long enough to find an alternative.
That solution for Tanya was uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). While listening to a radio show, she heard about the minimally invasive procedure and immediately contacted the compassionate team at Fibroid Institute Texas. At that moment, Tanya felt vindicated about questioning the traditional path forward for fibroid removal with a hysterectomy. After all, more than 60% of the roughly 171 million women worldwide who suffer from fibroids still are not aware of what fibroids are and the non-surgical fibroid treatment options that exist.
Tanya ultimately chose UFE and insisted it was the quickest and most effective way to help her reclaim her life.
More than 60% of the roughly 171 million women worldwide who suffer from fibroids still are not aware of what fibroids are and the non-surgical fibroid treatment options that exist.
Fibroid Removal: ‘Why Have My Body Parts Missing?’
Over 600,000 hysterectomy surgeries are performed annually in the United States. And though surgically invasive, physicians praise them for significantly improving a woman’s symptoms and overall quality of life while eliminating the 1% chance that a woman’s fibroids could be cancerous. It is effective for fibroids because everywhere they can grow and cause discomfort has now been removed. This can include all or part of a woman’s uterus and, in some cases, the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Therefore, there is almost no chance of fibroids returning after having a hysterectomy. It is currently the second most common gynecologic surgery after C-section.
Your doctor may recommend one of three types of hysterectomies:
- Partial hysterectomy — Only part of the uterus and possibly the ovaries are removed. The cervix is left intact.
- Total hysterectomy — Also known as a complete hysterectomy, this involves removing all of the uterus, the cervix, and possibly the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
- Radical hysterectomy — This procedure involves removing the uterus, the cervix and its surrounding tissue, and the upper part of the vagina. Usually, the fallopian tubes and the ovaries are removed.
While effective for fibroid removal, hysterectomy doesn’t have to be a woman’s only option. According to a study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, as many as 1 in 5 women in the United States whose doctor recommended a hysterectomy did not need one. Meanwhile, the same researchers found that 37.7% of women included in the study had no documentation indicating they underwent alternative treatment before a hysterectomy.
In Tanya’s case, her doctor told her that despite having multiple fibroids, her uterus was fine. “I couldn’t help but think, so why have my body parts missing?” Tanya said. “I canceled hysterectomy surgeries three or four times because I was convinced there had to be another way.”
As many as 1 in 5 women in the United States whose doctor recommended a hysterectomy did not need one. The same researchers found that 37.7% of women included in the study had no documentation indicating they underwent alternative treatment before a hysterectomy.
A Symptom-Free Life in Just Four Months
Four months after undergoing UFE, Tanya says her life has completely changed for the better. Her menstrual cycles are regulated to three days a month like clockwork, and she is no longer experiencing cramps or bloating. She is exercising again, something that was nearly impossible before UFE because she was constantly worried if she would bleed excessively or have pain during her workout. She is also able to stay focused at work and has noticed a substantial improvement in her sex life due to less pain and uncomfortable symptoms.
“I am incredibly grateful to have heard the radio advertisement about the UFE procedure,” she said. “I kept hearing it and eventually decided I needed to see them and learn more about it.”
While other non-surgical procedures are available to treat fibroids, Tanya cannot say enough great things about her decision to try UFE. With the UFE procedure, an experienced interventional radiologist inserts a small catheter into the radial artery and advances it to the location of the targeted area. They then inject small particles to block blood flow to the fibroid tumors, causing them to shrink and die.
There was no hospital stay or lengthy recovery time, and all her fibroids were treated simultaneously. UFE is a unique procedure in comparison to a hysterectomy because of its ability to treat uterine fibroid symptoms—regardless of location or size—and without having to go through a painful surgery and lengthy recovery time.
The benefits of UFE at Fibroid Institute are plentiful and include the following:
- Procedure typically completed in under an hour
- In-office procedure instead of hospital stay
- Recovery time is 7-10 days
- Tiny wrist puncture, no need for vaginal access
- Avoid side effects of pharmaceutical hormone therapies
- All fibroids may be treated at the same time
- No incisions, which means no surgical scarring
- Over 90% of patients see dramatic improvement in symptoms
- Five-star doctors as rated by patient reviews
- Patients get direct access to their doctor’s mobile number
“Choosing UFE was the best thing I could have ever done,” Tanya said. “I would say that other women should definitely do it. I canceled a hysterectomy three times because I kept thinking there had to be another way.”
Read more about Fibroid Institute’s highly specific formula that helps patients experience little to no pain after UFE when they follow the recommended medicine chart from our fibroid doctor.
Experience Matters for Fibroid Removal Experts
As Tanya’s case proves, having a hysterectomy isn’t always the best option for every woman. Researching and expressing your preference for non-surgical alternatives with your doctor is the best way to ensure you have all the information to make the best decision for you and your unique fibroid journey.
At Fibroid Institute, we cater to the needs of fibroid patients and offer a nonsurgical solution: uterine fibroid embolization. UFE is the gold standard in non-surgical fibroid treatment. Thousands of women visit us to receive concierge-level care from our highly specialized fibroid treatment team. Meet some of these women here:
Our fibroid doctors are board-certified interventional radiologists and experts who are passionate about helping women become #FibroidFree. Because experience matters, our physicians have completed more than 40,000 interventional radiology cases over the course of a combined 55 years of experience.
Most major medical insurance providers cover the cost of UFE. With multiple locations, our Dallas and Houston fibroid clinics help thousands of women avoid fibroid surgery and find relief from their fibroid symptoms. Get started now by calling in the Dallas area at 214-838-6440, in the Houston area at 713-903-3733, or complete the form below.
This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Prior to 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 Houston and Dallas metro areas including 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, Addison, Carrollton, Plano, Frisco, Craig Ranch, McKinney, and more.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.