Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids (also known as leiomyomas) are benign overgrowths of normal tissue in a woman’s uterus that often cause problems for women in their 30’s and 40’s. They occur in almost 80% of African-American women and up to 70% of Caucasian women. Their growth is stimulated by estrogen, so they often get better after a woman goes through menopause. But most women cannot wait that long, because fibroids can become quite large and bulky, and cause major symptoms. The most common symptom is severe menstrual bleeding, often with cramping pain. Sometimes the bleeding can become life-threatening, requiring blood transfusions. Due to their bulky size, fibroids also push on other organs, causing constipation, bloating, frequent urination, or pain with sexual intercourse.
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Surgical Treatment Options...
After having a thorough evaluation by a gynecologist, some fibroid patients can have their bleeding symptoms treated with medications such as Lupron or oral contraception pills. However many patients will choose to have a procedure done to treat their fibroids. Gynecologists offer surgical treatment options ranging from a myomectomy operation (surgically plucking the fibroids out of the uterus, but leaving the uterus in place), to a more invasive hysterectomy, which is a complete surgical removal of the uterus.
Something Less Invasive...
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), a much less invasive procedure performed by an Interventional Radiologist, is done without any incisions or scars and it leaves the uterus in place. It works well, is safe, has a favorable recovery time, and has no long-term side effects. Furthermore the procedure has been around for almost 25 years, and has an excellent track record. In fact, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has determined that UFE is a safe and effective treatment option for any woman with fibroids who doesn’t want her uterus removed. However, it is important to mention that although women have been able to get pregnant after UFE, generally UFE is not recommended as the first treatment choice for women who wish to have children.
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UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION...
How It Works
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) takes about an hour to perform, and is done by placing a tiny tube into the arteries that feed the uterus and the fibroids, and then shutting the blood flow down by injecting thousands of microscopic beads to cut off blood flow to the fibroids. The uterus is left unharmed. Everything is done through a single tiny quarter-inch hole in the skin. General anesthesia is not needed because the procedure can be done with light sedation medications. Most patients go home the next day with a small bandage, with about 1-2 weeks of recovery before returning to normal life.
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Results
Over time, each fibroid "shrivels up," like a grape shrinking into a raisin. The excessive menstrual bleeding stops, and the bulk symptoms get better. The recovery time is the same or better compared to hysterectomy. The level of invasiveness and risk for complication are significantly lower for the UFE procedure. About 7 out of 8 women have an excellent result. For the small percentage of patients who don’t get a satisfactory result, they can still undergo surgical treatments like myomectomy or hysterectomy. In fact, the UFE procedure can also help control bleeding during a more invasive surgery and make it easier to perform!
LARGE FIBROID SMALL SHRUNKEN FIBROID
BEFORE UFE AFTER UFE Try Embolization First!
Many patients unfortunately never hear about UFE as a treatment option for their fibroids, but almost every patient who has a UFE performed reports being happy that she didn’t have to undergo a more invasive surgery! If you need to have your fibroids treated, try embolization first!
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