Cutting off the blood supply to uterine fibroids relieves symptoms without impacting fertility or causing premature menopause.

Fibroids are benign tumors on the inner wall of the uterus. They can be troublesome by causing pain and heavy bleeding. Often, a woman is treated by hysterectomy, but there are now less drastic options than major surgery.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medical School report on embolization - blocking the blood supply to fibroids by stopping up the uterine and ovarian arteries with tiny spheres. Carried out in a group of nine women with symptomatic fibroids, the procedure was both safe and effective. Some patients have now been followed up for a year and all report normal menstrual periods, suggesting fertility has been unaffected. None of the women have experienced any hormonal changes, so it looks as if premature menopause is not a problem either.

Source

American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting 5th May 2003