BALTIMORE —

For years, uterine fibroids — common, non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus — ruled Tierra Sydnor's life.

Fibroids often don't cause any symptoms — but when they do, they can be debilitating. In those cases, women often decide to have a hysterectomy.

"Over time, I developed anemia, severe fatigue, heavy bleeding," Sydnor said. "To the point where I was doubling up on clothes, planning literally my entire life around my fibroids."

But Sydnor didn't want a hysterectomy. Instead, she chose "uterine fibroid embolization," a minimally invasive procedure that only leaves a barely visible scar on the wrist.

Most doctors would make an incision in the groin. However, MedStar Interventional Radiologist Dr. Brian Swehla performs the procedure through the wrist.

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