After suffering with excruciating period pain, bloating, headaches, fatigue and endless visits to her GP for over 5 years, Sarah Davies, 37, finally discovered the root cause of her problems…a huge fibroid!

Her home life, work life, her sleep and the physical activity she was able to do were all affected by the pain she endured. Sarah felt a lump in her abdomen which led her to naturally panic, an ultrasound scan later revealed it was in fact a large fibroid which was pushing on her bowel.

The first consultant she saw said that the only treatment would be was to have a hysterectomy, which at 37 years old, was the last thing Sarah wanted to put herself through and was concerned about experiencing an early menopause. She was convinced there had to be another option so decided to do her own online research and came across Dr Paul Crowe, Consultant Interventional Radiologist at BMI Priory Hospital and called his secretary to book an appointment.

Dr Crowe said that she might be eligible for fibroid embolisation treatment, which meant a hysterectomy wouldn’t be necessary.  Immediately Sarah felt she was in safe hands with Dr Crowe, he explained everything thoroughly, had a calming patient manner, and a quiet confidence which she found incredibly reassuring.

“Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) is a minimally invasive treatment performed by interventional radiologists which shrinks uterine fibroids by blocking their blood supply. It only requires a tiny needle puncture in the femoral artery in the groin to direct a fine catheter under x-ray guidance down into the arteries supplying the fibroids. These are then blocked with tiny plastic spheres, causing the fibroid to shrink away gradually over a few months. It only involves an overnight stay in hospital and allows rapid return to normal activities.”

“Having been one of the first specialists offering fibroid embolisation in the UK I have now personally performed over 6000 treatments, giving women a genuine choice and allowing many to avoid major open surgery. I am delighted that Sarah was not only suitable for the procedure but has clearly done so well afterwards.

Following her treatment Sarah was back at work after 2 weeks, and within a month, she could already feel relief of her symptoms. The constant bloating and pressure she felt in her tummy had gone and she no longer dreaded her periods. Her time of the month is now a breeze and it’s all down to her fibroid embolization treatment. Her post-operative scan revealed that it had shrunk by 90% which was a fantastic result.

Sarah said, “I feel emotional talking about it and recommend any women with similar symptoms to get checked out. I can’t explain how much energy I now have and how improved my periods are. I used to arrange social events and important meetings around my menstrual cycle which was crazy. I’d wake up between 10-15 times in the night to go to the toilet which would have a detrimental effect on my fatigue, it was awful. That is all ancient history now thanks to Dr Crowe. He was incredible, as were the nursing and theatre staff, I’m so grateful to them…I now have my life back!”

I first met Dr Paul Crowe two years ago for a consultation to consider my options regarding a large uterine fibroid. I sought him out after incredibly high recommendation. He not only lived up to his reputation, but far exceeded it. I knew without a doubt that I was meeting an excellent consultant, but running parallel with this, I was met by the most warm, sincere and empathic human being, who was genuinely interested to listen to and understand my personal needs. My case isn’t straightforward and Dr Crowe has been unfalteringly supportive and empathic in his professional care for me. For anyone considering the treatments offered by Dr Crowe, please be reassured by my experience, that you couldn’t be in better hands.

“I suffered with fibroids for 6 years and thought there was no hope, then I was told about this procedure. I had my procedure in October last year and the results have been amazing! It has changed my life. I no longer have to plan my life around my menstrual cycle. I cannot recommend this procedure enough it is fantastic!”

“ The difference in the quality of my life has been amazing! Before the treatment my stomach was the size of an 18 week pregnancy. It has reduced right down and I am no longer asked when am I having my baby. My periods are so much better. I can now leave the house and carry on with every day activities during my period. The treatment was fine, recovery afterwards did not take long and I feel 10,000 times better. I would strongly urge any woman who has a troublesome fibroid to get in contact with Dr. Crowe and get the right treatment without having to resort to more invasive surgery. It gave me my life back, and I am so grateful for the wonderful treatment that I received.”

“From six weeks post embolisation I’ve noticed a marked improvement in my quality of life and am not taking time off work any more. I have not had one day off sick since the embolisation”