Uterine fibroids, noncancerous growths that develop in the wall of the uterus, affect up to 80 percent of women at some point in their lives and can lead to severe pain and fertility issues for nearly half of those affected.
Although hysterectomy has traditionally been the most common treatment for this condition, researchers at the Mayo Clinic are advocating for minimally invasive alternatives, warning that the widespread practice of removing the uterus may cause unnecessary long-term health risks for millions of women.
In new clinical guidelines published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, the team calls for a shift toward less-invasive treatments that could mean faster recovery times and better health outcomes….