Clarify why hysterectomy is being discussed
Hysterectomy may be discussed for different reasons, including symptoms, fibroid size, bleeding, failed prior treatment, other uterine conditions, or concern that more evaluation is needed. The goal is not to argue against it; the goal is to understand the reasoning.
Questions to ask
- Why is hysterectomy being discussed in my case?
- What symptoms, imaging findings, labs, prior treatments, or safety concerns are driving the discussion?
- What happens if I wait, monitor, or ask another specialist to weigh in?
Ask about alternatives without assuming they fit
Patients commonly ask whether medication, myomectomy, UFE/UAE, ablation-focused procedures, MRgFUS, monitoring, or another clinician-directed option is reasonable to discuss. ProcedurePath cannot determine whether any option is appropriate for you. If uterine fibroid embolization is one of the options, bring questions to ask before UFE and talk with your doctor.
Questions to ask
- Which uterus-sparing options are reasonable for me to ask about before deciding?
- Should I talk with a MIGS surgeon, interventional radiologist, fertility specialist, or another clinician?
- If pregnancy matters, what are the implications of hysterectomy and what alternatives should be discussed before an irreversible decision?
Understand the operation being proposed
Hysterectomy conversations can involve route, recovery, ovaries, cervix, pathology, pain control, time off work, and follow-up. Ask which details are already decided and which are still open.
Questions to ask
- Which route is planned, and why?
- Would ovaries or cervix be removed or left in place, and what should I understand about that?
- What recovery restrictions, pathology review, follow-up, and warning signs should I expect?
Common questions
Why is hysterectomy so common for fibroids?
Fibroids are the leading reason for hysterectomy, and it is a definitive, effective treatment1.
How does recovery compare with UFE?
In a randomized trial of embolization vs surgery (mostly hysterectomy), hospital stays were shorter after embolization (median 1 day vs. 5 days) and patients returned to work sooner3.
How satisfied are people over the long term?
At 10 years in the EMMY trial, satisfaction was similar: 78% after UFE vs 87% after hysterectomy. About 1 in 3 UFE patients eventually had a hysterectomy4.
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