Uterine Fibroid Embolization Offers Non-Surgical Relief for Women of Color in Texas

Uterine fibroids affect millions of women, but they are much more common in women of color, with up to 80% of Black women experiencing them by age 50. Yet many women are unaware of a non-surgical treatment option called uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), which can provide relief without major surgery.

UFE is performed by an interventional radiologist, who inserts a catheter through a tiny incision and guides it using real-time medical imaging to the blood vessels supplying the fibroids. Small particles are then injected to block blood flow, causing the fibroids to shrink over time. Compared to open surgical options like hysterectomy, UFE typically results in less pain and a shorter recovery period.

“Before UFE, my entire life was planned around my fibroids — what I could wear, where I could go—all to manage the symptoms and pain I was experiencing,” said Kenya Green, a patient who experienced fibroids for decades. “When I asked my OBGYN what my options were, I was told I could go on birth control or that I needed to have a hysterectomy.”

Uterine fibroids are not cancer, but they can significantly impact menstrual health, causing heavy bleeding, bloating, and severe pain. Many women suffer in silence or think surgery is their only option. “I was in my early 30s and I was not ready for the changes hysterectomy would bring,” Green said. She found out about UFE from a friend and was referred to an interventional radiologist who was able to help.

According to John Lipman, MD, an interventional radiologist and founder of the Atlanta Fibroid Center, “Fibroids are the number 1 reason why women undergo hysterectomy, which is unnecessary in the significant majority of cases and can be replaced with the much safer, less invasive, nonsurgical UFE procedure.” He notes that UFE is less expensive, has a much shorter recovery time (days versus weeks or months), and is covered by all major insurance plans.

Awareness and access to fibroid diagnosis and treatment are vital, especially for women of color. Uterine fibroids are three times more common in Black women and twice as common in Hispanic women, yet 36% of Black women and 22% of Hispanic women mistakenly believe they are not at risk. “It has been shown in multiple medical studies that most women suffering with fibroids do not hear about UFE as a treatment option from their doctor despite full endorsement from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) back in 2008,” Lipman said. “Women are entitled to know all of their treatment options and not just the surgical ones. UFE is an absolute game changer for fibroid sufferers, but the biggest problem is that most patients are unaware of this outstanding procedure and need to obtain a second opinion from an interventional radiologist.”

After UFE, Green experienced a marked improvement in her quality of life. “Since I had my UFE, I no longer have to plan my life and my wardrobe around my fibroid symptoms,” Green said. “I am pain free and living a life of abundance, enjoying time with friends and family without worry.”

For more information, visit the Radiology Health Equity Coalition Uterine Fibroid Resources page.