Entries by Amy Swensen

What Is Your Period Telling You: A Flowchart

You may not think about it this way, but every month, your period is sending you signals. They may be signals that your body is healthy, and everything is as it should be—but the signals may also show that something is wrong. Find out what your period may be telling you with this flowchart. No

UFE Just Keeps Getting Better and Better. Here’s Why.

You’ve been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, and you’ve been given one option: hysterectomy. Thirty years ago, this scenario would be a common nightmare turned reality for women suffering with fibroid-related symptoms. Fortunately, other minimally invasive treatment options have emerged. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is one such option. Since introduced within the US in 1997 as

Choosing the Best Fibroid Treatment Option for You

Being diagnosed with uterine fibroids may be overwhelming. But fortunately, you have options—and lots of them. From pharmaceutical treatments to surgery, and less-invasive options in between, a woman has much to choose from. NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS  Pharmaceutical Treatment  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, can reduce menstrual flow by 25-30 percent and lessen cramping.1 Hormonal

5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About UFE

As you’re considering how to treat your uterine fibroids, you probably want to know the details of all the different options: how to prepare, what to expect during the procedure, and how recovery will be. With uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), it’s no different. You know the pros and cons, but you want to learn more,

10 of the Best Quotes About Gratitude

In the craziness that everyday life can become, it’s easy to forget how much we’ve been blessed. The reality is, no matter what you’re going through, how busy you are, or how difficult things get, you can always find something to be grateful for. Keep these ten quotes in mind next time you start feeling

Uterine Fibroids Before 30 May Increase Risk for Early Onset Breast Cancer

Uterine fibroids are hormone-sensitive growths that develop in the uterine wall. And although noncancerous, a common concern for women with fibroids is whether they’re at risk for other hormone-responsive conditions like breast cancer. A study published in Cancer Causes & Control showed that while having a history of uterine fibroids was unrelated to developing breast

What Causes Fibroids?

Anywhere from 20-40% of women over the age of 35 may be affected by uterine fibroids—noncancerous tumors that grow on or in the muscle wall of the uterus. With so many women affected, you may wonder if you’re one of them. Although there is no definite cause for uterine fibroids, there are some factors that

What Are Possible Side Effects of Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a proven fibroid treatment alternative to having a hysterectomy. It isn’t drastic surgery but a less invasive treatment that can preserve your uterus and decrease painful fibroid-related symptoms. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recognizes UFE as a viable fibroid treatment option. However, as with any medical procedure,

Why Would Someone Need a Second UFE?

Uterine fibroids affect anywhere from 20-40% of women older than 35 years of age, and many of them are choosing to have uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) as treatment. However, in rare cases, some women are finding it necessary to have more than one UFE procedure. What is UFE? Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow

How Do Fibroids Affect Sexual Intercourse?

Aside from the pain, heavy bleeding, and bloating that women with uterine fibroids often experience, another common worry surfaces—how it will affect sexual intercourse. Unfortunately, fibroids can present obstacles in the bedroom, but through treatment, a happy and fulfilling sex life is possible. What Are Uterine Fibroids? Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow on or