Out of the approximately 14 million women in this country who have uterine fibroids, there are untold numbers who are suffering in silence with the most extreme symptoms of the benign tumors. Why? Because many of them think that getting a hysterectomy is their only option to stem the flooding, gushing periods, cramping and pelvic pain, Dr. John Lipman, an Atlanta-based radiologist, told Black Voices. Little do these women know that a hysterectomy is not their only option.

"Here's a procedure that not only treats the fibroid symptoms directly," he said, "it does it, and a woman keeps her uterus, which is tremendous."

Uterine fibroid embolization, or UFE, is an outpatient procedure performed by an interventional radiologist that cuts off the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink. It might be lesser known, said Lipman, but it's just as effective as a hysterectomy without the "baggage" that comes with major surgery.

Uterine fibroids, which affect black women in disproportionate numbers, are noncancerous lumps that grow inside, outside or on the wall of a woman's uterus. Most of the time, women who have the tumors either don't have any symptoms or only have mild ones, like a heavier-than-average period. But the suffering is great for women who have the worst of the symptoms -- gushing periods that lead to pain, anemia and an all-around poor quality of life. Uterine fibroids are the number one reason for hysterectomies in this country. Lipman thinks that if more women knew about UFE, there would be far fewer people suffering from the ill effects of fibroids.

"[Because fibroids are benign], the issue gets pushed way down on the research agenda, despite the significant suffering that it is causing, particularly in African American women," Lipman said. "There are over a million women in this country who are suffering on the sidelines because they don't want a hysterectomy. No one has told them that any other option exists."

Although UFE allows a woman to keep her uterus, early menopause is a possible side effect for women, mainly those over 40 who undergo the procedure. Thus, although it is possible to become pregnant after UFE, it is not recommended for women who want to have children. A myomectomy, which is the surgical removal of fibroids from the uterus, is often performed for woman who are trying to have children, although the fibroids may come back.

Unfortunately, for many of the women plagued by these symptoms, there's little that can be done in terms of lifestyle changes to stem the suffering. Fibroids are often genetic -- but in some cases excess body fat could exacerbate symptoms. Losing weight could help with some symptoms, especially milder ones. The most important thing, said Lipman, is that these women know their options.

"It is so important, especially in the African American community, to reach these women," Lipman said. "You do not have to suffer in silence."

For More Information
Dr. John Lipman
Society of Interventional Radiology