Minnesota women now have one more tool in their arsenal against non-cancerous uterine fibroids.  The Fibroid Clinic, located in the Women’s Health Center at University of Minnesota Medical Center, offers multidisciplinary care for fibroids.

With this innovative program, patients see both a University of Minnesota Physicians obstetrician/gynecologist and interventional radiologist during one appointment to understand both their surgical and non-surgical treatment options.  “This clinic provides patients a comprehensive, one-stop visit to learn all they need to know and see all the consultants they need to see to make a decision about how to best treat their fibroids,” says Carrie Ann Terrell, M.D., director of the division of obstetrics and gynecology.

One in four women over age 35 in the United States suffers from uterine fibroids, which cause heavy bleeding, frequent urination and pelvic pain.  Uterine fibroids are the reason for hundreds of thousands of hysterectomies every year, but can be treated with hormone therapy, endometrial ablation and uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). 

UFE is a minimally invasive procedure that uses synthetic particles to block the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink. “UFE has proven to be safe, effective and much less invasive than surgical options – therefore it is a valuable treatment options for many women suffering from fibroids,” says Jafar Golzarian, M.D., director of interventional radiology.

For more information, visit us on the Web at uofmfibroid.org, or to schedule an appointment at the Fibroid Clinic, please call 612-UMWOMEN (612-869-6636).