Beyond Hysterectomy: How Patient Choice is Reshaping Fibroid Care

ATLANTA, GA – December 09, 2025 – When the Georgia Business Journal recently named Atlanta Fibroid Center a ‘Best of Georgia’ Physician Practice for 2025, it signaled more than just a local business achievement. The award, driven by a combination of public voting and editorial review, illuminates a profound shift in women’s healthcare—one where patient empowerment, technological innovation, and a long-overdue focus on health equity are converging to challenge the surgical status quo.

For decades, women suffering from symptomatic uterine fibroids—noncancerous growths that can cause debilitating pain, heavy bleeding, and reproductive issues—were often presented with a stark and limited choice, frequently culminating in a hysterectomy. The recent recognition of a practice dedicated exclusively to a non-surgical alternative, Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), suggests the market is not only changing but is being actively reshaped by informed patients demanding better options.

The Minimally Invasive Revolution

At the heart of this transformation is UFE, a minimally invasive procedure that represents a paradigm shift from traditional surgery. Performed by an interventional radiologist, the outpatient procedure involves making a tiny incision, often in the wrist or groin, to access the uterine arteries. Microscopic particles are then injected to block the blood vessels feeding the fibroids, causing them to shrink and die. The uterus is left completely intact.

This stands in stark contrast to hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, and myomectomy, the surgical removal of fibroids. While effective, these major surgeries necessitate general anesthesia, hospital stays, and lengthy recovery periods of four to eight weeks. UFE, by comparison, allows most women to return to their normal activities within one to two weeks. Clinical data underscores its efficacy, with studies showing success rates of 85% to 92% in alleviating major symptoms like heavy bleeding and pelvic pain. Major complications are rare, affecting less than 4% of patients.

The procedure has gained widespread acceptance within the medical community, championed by organizations like the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR). For women who wish to avoid major surgery, preserve their uterus, and maintain the possibility of future fertility, UFE has emerged as a powerful and proven alternative. The growing patient demand for this option is forcing a broader industry conversation about the standards of fibroid care and the importance of presenting a full spectrum of treatments.

Confronting a Crisis in Health Equity

The story of fibroids is inextricably linked to a story of profound racial disparity. Research from the National Institutes of Health and other public health bodies paints a grim picture: African American women are up to three times more likely to develop fibroids than white women. They often develop them at a younger age, and their fibroids tend to be larger, more numerous, and more symptomatic. By age 35, an estimated 60% of Black women have fibroids, compared to 40% of white women.

This disparity extends directly to treatment. Studies reveal that Black women are disproportionately guided toward hysterectomies and are 2.4 times more likely to undergo the procedure for fibroids. They are less likely to be offered or undergo minimally invasive surgical options, a systemic issue rooted in a complex mix of socioeconomic barriers and implicit bias within the healthcare system.

It is within this context that Atlanta Fibroid Center's focus becomes particularly significant. Led by Dr. John Lipman, the practice has made addressing this inequity a core part of its mission. The center actively engages in community outreach and education, particularly within African American communities, to ensure women are aware that alternatives to hysterectomy exist.

"Fibroids affect African American women at disproportionately high rates, and many are not offered the full range of treatment options available to them," Dr. Lipman stated in the announcement. "Our goal is to make sure that every woman has the information she deserves to make the choice that is right for her; in most cases, that choice is UFE, preserving her uterus and avoiding unnecessary and irreversible hysterectomy."

This commitment is further solidified by the Free From Fibroids Foundation, a nonprofit co-founded by Dr. Lipman and his wife, Jayne, which is dedicated to funding research and eradicating these healthcare disparities.

The Power of Specialization and Trust

In a competitive healthcare market that includes large hospital systems and national chains, Atlanta Fibroid Center has carved out a position as a leader through deep specialization. Dr. Lipman, one of the world's most experienced UFE physicians, has focused exclusively on the procedure for over 25 years and has treated more than 10,000 women. His credentials—including training at Georgetown, Harvard, and Yale, and fellowship status in both the American College of Radiology and the Society of Interventional Radiology (FSIR)—build a foundation of trust that attracts patients from far beyond Georgia.

Remarkably, 20% of the center's patients travel from across the United States and internationally, many arriving after being told a hysterectomy was their only option. This demonstrates the power of a highly specialized model in a healthcare landscape where patients are increasingly conducting their own research and seeking out centers of excellence for specific conditions. The practice serves not just as a clinic, but as an educational hub and a destination for definitive care.

As the center prepares to open a second Atlanta location, its growth trajectory underscores the viability and demand for this focused approach. The expansion is set to increase patient access and amplify the center's educational initiatives, including new digital resources and community partnerships planned for 2026. This strategy is not merely about expanding market share; it's about scaling a new standard of care that prioritizes patient well-being, choice, and long-term health over traditional surgical conventions.