Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths that occur in the muscular wall of the uterus, affect some 2- to 40 percent of women older than age 35, according to the Society of Interventional Radiology. Fibroids can range in size from quarter-size to larger than softball size.

SIR states, "Uterine fibroids are the most frequent indication for hysterectomy in premenopausal women and, therefore, are a major public health issue. Of the 600,000 hysterectomies performed annually in the United States, one-third are due to
fibroids."

While most fibroids won't cause problems for women, some require treatment, causing heavy and prolonged menstrual periods, pelvic pressure and pain, painful intercourse, bladder and bowel issues and an abnormally enlarged abdomen.

An interventional radiologist will perform a uterine artery embolization, which involves making a tiny incision through which a catheter is passed and imaging guided techniques to locate the area of the uterine arteries that is supplying the blood to the fibroid tumor. Tiny particles are released that block the blood flow to the tumor, causing it to shrink and die.

Learn more about uterine fibroids from SIR.