Health care costs continue to be a concern for many women across the United States and it is a hot topic of discussion in our homes and on Capitol Hill. Let’s face it. If you don’t have insurance, getting the care you need can be tough, especially if a treatment is for a problem that is not life-threatening (like fibroids). Symptomatic fibroids have traditionally been treated with a hysterectomy or myomectomy, both invasive, surgical procedures with long recovery times. A normal hysterectomy or myomectomy, with no complications, can cost up to $42,619 according to a recent article published in the American Journal of Gynecologists (AJOG). It is a huge cost that 40% of women in the US must face when being diagnosed with fibroids and a cost that can have a serious affect on US health care costs and insurance rates.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a cost effective alternative to hysterectomy and myomectomy. When comparing hysterectomy, myomectomy and UFE, the AJOG article found that UFE cost 12% less than a hysterectomy and 8% less than a myomectomy. Both direct medical costs and hidden costs such as time off work were taken into consideration. Recovery time for UFE is only 5 days compared to 6 weeks for a hysterectomy. That means getting back to work and your family much faster!

When seeking treatments for fibroids, women should certainly focus on finding the right treatment from a trusted, qualified health care professional. But having the option to seek out a successful, durable treatment alternative like UFE without breaking the bank is making women, doctors, politicians and even Hollywood take notice. Oh, and you still get to keep your uterus too.

- Click here to read the entire AJOG article