Various reports suggest that most women at menopausal age will have at least small uterine fibroids. Luckily, most cause no symptoms. Myomectomy - Surgical removal of only the fibroid. Hormonal Therapy - Shrinks fibroids by inducing chemical menopause. Hysterectomy - Surgical removal of the uterus.
Some risk is involved in all invasive procedures.
Embolization procedures have been performed for more than 20 years in the treatment of disorders varying from embolization of the uterus in patients suffering from bleeding after delivery to the treatment of liver cancer. Approximately eight years ago, uterine artery embolization was performed in France to decrease operative bleeding in preparation for hysterectomy. After embolization patients awaiting surgery experienced a decrease in symptoms. With this knowledge, uterine artery embolization was started as a main treatment for fibroids. The procedure has been performed for several years in the United States at major teaching hospitals including UCLA Medical Center and Georgetown University.