Break Free From Fibroids: How Uterine Fibroid Embolization Offers a New Path to Relief

If you're one of the millions of women suffering from uterine fibroids, you're not alone—and you're not out of options. These noncancerous growths affect up to 70% of women by age 50, with many experiencing symptoms that can seriously disrupt their lives. From heavy bleeding and pelvic pain to bloating, fatigue, and fertility struggles, fibroids take a toll that often feels impossible to escape.

But what if surgery wasn’t the only way forward?

What if there were another way to free yourself from the burden of fibroids, without having to go under the knife?

At the Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy (MINT), we're proud to offer Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)—a cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedure that treats fibroids without the need for hysterectomy or traditional surgery. Backed by science and loved by patients, UFE may be the breakthrough you've been waiting for.

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids (also called leiomyomas or myomas) are benign tumors that grow in or around the uterus. They can vary in size from a small pea right through to a large grapefruit. While some women never notice them, approximately 20%-30% experience symptoms so severe that they interfere with work, relationships, and daily life.

Common symptoms include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding (sometimes lasting more than a week)
• Pelvic pressure or pain
• Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder
• Constipation
• Back or leg pain
• Pain during intercourse

Some women even develop anemia from excessive blood loss, leading to extreme fatigue and weakness.

Traditional Treatments And Their Limitations

For years, the go-to solution for problematic fibroids has been surgery. In fact, over 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the U.S. each year. And while it’s effective, surgery comes with risks: longer recovery times, scarring, and in the case of a hysterectomy, permanent loss of the uterus.

For women who wish to avoid surgery or who want to preserve their uterus for personal or reproductive reasons, there’s a better way: Uterine Fibroid Embolization.

So, What Is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Uterine Fibroid Embolization or UFE for short, is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure performed by a vascular specialist. At MINT, our board-certified experts use state-of-the-art techniques to block the blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink and symptoms to improve.

Here’s how it works:

1. A small incision is made in the groin or wrist to access a blood vessel.
2. A thin catheter is guided into the arteries supplying the uterus.
3. Tiny particles (about the size of sand grains) are injected to block blood flow to the fibroids.
4. With their blood supply cut off, the fibroids shrink over time, and symptoms gradually improve.

The entire procedure usually takes under an hour, and most patients go home the same day. Recovery is fast—most women are back to normal activities within a week.

Why More Women Are Choosing UFE

Uterine Fibroid Embolization is FDA-approved, highly effective, and backed by more than 25 years of clinical research. Here’s why women across the country—and right here at MINT- are choosing UFE:

• Minimally invasive: No major surgery or general anesthesia
• Preserves the uterus: Ideal for women who want to avoid hysterectomy
• Quick recovery: Most patients resume normal activity within 7–10 days
• Highly effective: Over 85–90% of women experience major symptom relief
• Covered by most insurance plans

And it’s not just about symptom relief. Studies suggest that UFE improves quality of life, including physical activity, emotional well-being, and sexual health.

Is UFE Right For You?

Essentially, you may be a good candidate for Uterine Fibroid Embolization if you:

• Have symptomatic fibroids (heavy bleeding, pain, pressure, etc.)
• Want to avoid major surgery or hysterectomy
• Prefer a shorter recovery time
• Are not pregnant and don’t have an active pelvic infection or cancer

At MINT, we offer personalized consultations to evaluate your condition and walk you through your options. We collaborate with OB-GYNs and other specialists to ensure you get the best care possible, tailored to your goals and health needs.

So, Why Choose MINT?

At the Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy, we don’t just treat symptoms, we treat people. Our practice is led by Dr. Goke Akinwande, a highly respected vascular and interventional radiologist with years of experience helping women take back control of their health.

When you choose MINT, you get:

• Compassionate, expert care
• A state-of-the-art outpatient facility
• A welcoming environment where you’re heard and empowered
• A team that walks with you every step of the way—from consultation to recovery

Don’t Let Fibroids Control Your Life

Fibroids can steal your energy, your confidence, and your peace of mind, but they don’t have to. If you're tired of suffering and want a real solution that doesn’t involve surgery, now is the time to learn more about Uterine Fibroid Embolization.

Contact the Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy (MINT) today to schedule your consultation. Discover how UFE can help you live pain-free, surgery-free, and full of life again.  Visit us at www.midwestmint.com to schedule an appointment. We have locations in St. Louis, MO and Swansea, IL, so get in touch and get the relief you deserve.