KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Uterine fibroids are common noncancerous tumors of the uterus. It's a condition that can cause extreme pain for women.

Doctors say that many women don't know of another option to get rid of fibroids.

Fibroid embolization, which is a less invasive procedure, got a thumbs-up from the Food and Drug Administration.

Dee Hudgens has battled symptoms brought on by large uterine fibroids. Doctors repeatedly recommended that she get a hysterectomy.

"I was having very heavy periods, pain and bloating," Hudgens said.

Hudgens said that she did not want to have a hysterectomy; it would mean major surgery and losing her uterus. Then she heard about fibroid embolization, which cuts off blood supply to the fibroids.

Dr. David Burkart said that many women still don't know about the alternative to a hysterectomy.

"We put in tiny particles that go out and blood flow carries particles to the fibroids and particles block off and take away blood flow to the fibroid tumors. Once you do that, fibroids shrink down," Burkart said.

The FDA recently approved the particles, called embospheres, for fibroid embolization, finding it safe and effective.

Fibroid symptoms disappeared in 90 percent of women with just the embolization and with fewer complications compared to hysterectomy.

"They started shrinking immediately and continued shrinking. I have very light periods, no bloating or cramping like I had before," Hudgens said.

Recovery time is four to six weeks. With the less invasive fibroid embolization, recovery is about one week. Women have gone on to have normal pregnancies after fibroid embolization, but there are no studies yet to show the overall pregnancy success rate after having the procedure.

Additional Resources:

• MEDLINEplus: Uterine Fibroids
• National Uterine Fibroids Foundation
• Fibroid Treatment Collective
• More On Dr. David Burkart