Is a Hysterectomy Really Necessary to Treat Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are a common health concern, affecting up to 70–80% of women by age 50. While they’re typically non-cancerous, fibroids can cause significant symptoms—heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, bloating, urinary frequency, and even fertility challenges.

For decades, hysterectomy—the surgical removal of the uterus—has been one of the most common fibroid treatments. While effective at eliminating fibroids, it is also a major surgery with permanent consequences, including loss of fertility and a longer recovery time. This leads many women to ask: Is a hysterectomy really necessary?

The answer is often no. Today, there are non-surgical fibroid treatment options that preserve the uterus and avoid many of the risks associated with traditional surgery.

Why Some Women Are Told They Need a Hysterectomy

Historically, hysterectomy was the go-to recommendation for fibroid treatment because it provided a definitive solution—once the uterus is removed, fibroids cannot return. However, it also carries:

• Longer recovery times (often 4–6 weeks)
• Increased surgical risks, such as infection or excessive bleeding
• Emotional impact for those wishing to preserve fertility or avoid major surgery

Advances in medical technology now give women more choices, and in many cases, a hysterectomy may not be necessary.

A Leading Alternative: Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Uterine Fibroid Embolization is a minimally invasive, non-surgical fibroid treatment performed by an interventional radiologist. Instead of removing the uterus, UFE works by cutting off the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink and symptoms to improve.

Benefits of UFE include:

• Uterus preservation — ideal for women who want to avoid hysterectomy
• Shorter recovery time — many return to normal activity within a week
• No large incisions — the procedure is done through a small catheter in the wrist or groin
• High success rate — most women experience significant symptom relief

Who is a Candidate for UFE?

UFE may be a good option if you:

• Have symptomatic fibroids but want to keep your uterus
• Prefer a less invasive approach with a faster recovery
• Wish to avoid the risks of major surgery

However, UFE is not right for everyone. A consultation with an interventional radiologist can help determine the best treatment for your specific needs.

While hysterectomy remains an option for fibroid treatment, it’s not the only solution—and for many women, it’s not the best first step. Non-surgical fibroid treatments like UFE offer effective relief without the need for major surgery, helping women return to their lives faster and with their uterus intact.

If you’ve been told hysterectomy is your only choice, learn more on our UFE page.