Debunking the Myths: Fibroid Treatments and Uterine Fibroid Embolisation (UFE)
At Sydney Fibroid Clinic, we provide evidence-based, minimally invasive solutions for fibroid treatment. One of the most effective non-surgical treatment is Uterine Fibroid Embolisation (UFE) — a proven, non-surgical alternative to hysterectomy.
But misinformation can delay or derail a woman’s path to proper care. Here we bust common fibroid myths using the latest medical research.
🚫 Myth #1: A Large or Fast-Growing Fibroid Might Be Cancer
✅ Truth: Size or growth rate donot predict uterine cancer.
Only 2.6% of uterine malignant sarcomas had a history of rapid growth — most are slow-growing [1]. Don’t confuse a large or fast-growing fibroid with malignancy.
🚫 Myth #2: Fibroids Can Turn Into Cancer
✅ Truth: Fibroids are benign tumours and do not become cancer.
Fibroids affect up to 70% of women by age 50, but the chance of finding a cancerous tumour (uterine sarcoma) in a woman with fibroids is less than 0.3% [2].
🚫 Myth #3: You Can’t Tell If Your Fibroid Is Cancer Unless We Take It Out
✅ Truth: MRI with Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) is highly accurate.
Modern MRI techniques can distinguish benign fibroids from uterine sarcomas without surgery. One recent study showed a 98% sensitivity and 96% specificity in identifying malignancy with MRI DWI [3].
🚫 Myth #4: Your Fibroids Are Too Big or Too Many for UFE
✅ Truth: Size and number don’t matter — UFE treats all fibroids at once.
Unlike surgery, which removes selected fibroids, UFE treats the whole uterus by cutting off blood supply to all fibroids, large or small, single or multiple [4]. It’s a powerful alternative to hysterectomy.
🚫 Myth #5: Fibroids Will Come Back After UFE
✅ Truth: Recurrence is uncommon after UFE.
Because UFE treats all fibroids simultaneously, regrowth is less likely compared to myomectomy, where untreated fibroids may continue to grow [4].
🚫 Myth #6: You Can’t Get Pregnant After UFE
✅ Truth: Many women have had successful pregnancies and live births after UFE.
Live birth rates range from 31–48%, and ovarian function is usually preserved. UFE remains one of the few uterus-sparing fibroid treatments that allows for future fertility [5–7].
🚫 Myth #7: UFE Is Not for Postmenopausal Women
✅ Truth: Postmenopausal women with symptomatic fibroids can benefit from UFE.
This is especially relevant if they wish to use Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT). Studies confirm UFE is effective and safe in this population [8,9].
🚫 Myth #8: UFE Is Very Painful
✅ Truth: Pain after UFE is moderate and well managed with proven protocols.
Most patients describe the pain as strong period cramps that peak within 12–18 hours. With tools like patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and NSAIDs, recovery is smooth and manageable [10].
🚫 Myth #9: UFE Kills the Uterus
✅ Truth: UFE targets fibroids, not the uterus.
Healthy myometrium survives due to collateral blood flow. MRI after UFE clearly shows infarcted fibroids and viable uterine tissue. In many cases, the uterus remains capable of supporting pregnancy.
📷 See MRI Case Studies here:
👉 SydneyFibroidClinic.com.au/fibroids/case-studies
🩺 Explore Non-Surgical Fibroid Treatment with UFE
If you’re considering fibroid treatment options, don’t let myths limit your choices. UFE is a safe, uterus-preserving, and effective non-surgical treatment for fibroids — backed by 30 years of evidence.
🔗 Learn more about UFE and fibroid care here:
👉 www.sydneyfibroidclinic.com.au/fibroids/fibroid-treatment
📍 Sydney Fibroid Clinic – Your trusted destination for minimally invasive, evidence-based fibroid care.
📚 References
- Parker WH, Fu YS, Berek JS. Uterine sarcoma in patients operated on for presumed leiomyoma and rapidly growing leiomyoma. Obstet Gynecol. 1994;83(3):414–418.
- Stewart EA. Differentiating uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) from uterine sarcomas. UpToDate. 2025. Available from: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/uterine-fibroids-leiomyomas-differentiating-fibroids-from-uterine-sarcomas
- Wahab CA, Jannot AS, Bonaffini PA, et al. Diagnostic algorithm to differentiate benign atypical leiomyomas from malignant uterine sarcomas with diffusion-weighted MRI. Radiology. [In Press]
- Gupta JK, Sinha A, Lumsden MA, Hickey M. Uterine artery embolization for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(12):CD005073.
- Pisco JM, Bilhim T, Duarte M, et al. Spontaneous pregnancy with a live birth after conventional and partial uterine fibroid embolization. Radiology. 2017;285(1):302–310.
- McLucas B, Voorhees WD 3rd, Elliott S. Fertility after uterine artery embolization: a review. Minim Invasive Ther Allied Technol. 2016;25(1):1–7.
- McLucas B, Voorhees WD 3rd, Snyder SA. Anti-Müllerian hormone levels before and after uterine artery embolization. Minim Invasive Ther Allied Technol. 2018;27(3):186–190.
- Katsumori T, Nakajima K, Tokuhiro M. Uterine artery embolization for symptomatic fibroids in postmenopausal women. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2003;14(4):531–536.
- Béranger-Gibert S, Pelage JP, Laurent N, et al. Uterine artery embolization in postmenopausal women with uterine fibroids: a retrospective matched-control study. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2014;25(3):386–391.
- Saibudeen A, Makris GC, Elzein A, et al. Pain management protocols during uterine fibroid embolisation: a systematic review of the evidence. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2019;42(12):1663–1677.
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