Uterine Fibroid Embolization is a new procedure offered by Emory that is available to those women who are seeking a hysterectomy and do not want the unsightly scars that are associated with conventional surgery. The first step is understanding what fibroids are, how they form, and what they mean.



Uterine fibroids are actually noncancerous growths that form in the uterus, but they can create a great deal of discomfort for the rest of the body. They are quite common and in certain instances can cause irregular menstrual bleeding, prolonged menstrual bleeding, constipation, lower back pain, pelvic pressure, discomfort, frequent urination, painful intercourse, and other problems.

These growths can range from the size of a corn kernel to the size of a cantaloupe in extreme cases, and roughly 40% of women over the age of 20 will develop uterine fibroids before they enter menopause. The risk is even higher for African American women, of whom 50% will develop this condition. The best thing that you can do is to schedule an appointment with your doctor if you think you may have this condition.

Most uterine fibroids are not cancerous but they do cause a great amount of discomfort. Some women develop symptoms including intense menstrual cramps, frequent urination, pain and pressure in the pelvis or lower back, constipation, and other issues. For some women medication may dull the pain but for many it is too severe and requires medical attention.

One third of all hysterectomies, or roughly 150,000, are caused by uterine fibroids. Hysterectomies often leave large and painful scars that patients are left to deal with after surgery. Emory's Fibroid Embolization is a new cutting edge alternative to the conventional one, and shows great promise for treating uterine fibroids.