A minimally invasive treatment option for uterine fibroids
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What are uterine fibroids?
Fibroids are benign, noncancerous tumors of muscle that develop in or on the uterus wall, with sizes ranging from as small as a grape to as large as a cantaloupe. They are extremely common, occurring in up to one-third of all women.
What symptoms are caused by uterine fibroids?
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Periods lasting over a week
- Pelvic pressure or pain
- Leg pain
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Constipation
- Backache
What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)?
UFE is an innovative and truly minimally-invasive alternative to hysterectomy for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Hysterectomy has been the conventional invasive procedure typically used to treat uterine fibroids. UFE is an outpatient procedure that is part of a growing movement to reduce the high number of unnecessary hysterectomies performed each year.
Hysterectomy is a major surgery that most often results in 4-6 weeks of recovery, whereas, UFE only requires a small opening in the groin or wrist. Using a catheter to access the arteries supplying blood flow to the fibroid, the physician inserts microscopic beads to block the supply of nutrients to the fibroids. This simple process effectively kills the fibroids and significantly reduces the seriousness of the symptoms. Unlike most other forms of fibroid treatments, only localized anesthesia and moderate sedation are needed with UFE.
How do I know if I am a good candidate for UFE?
Most patients with symptomatic fibroids are candidates for UFE. Our interventional radiologists will discuss treatment options with you during your consultation and determine whether or not you are a good candidate based on your clinical history and imaging findings, which may include an MRI.
What does recovery look like?
Soreness that tapers off over the week following the procedure is common. This is due to the fibroids reacting to the lack of blood and nutrients, not due to infection.
There are some general guidelines to follow after the procedure, which are: Limited activity for 24 hours following the procedure after you have been released. Generally, you should increase activity every day following the procedure. Do not try and lift more than 10 lbs. for one week after the procedure. Medication given for pain afterward should be taken when needed or by instruction. Normal activity can resume as quickly as two days after the fibroid embolization.
You can typically return to work within one week after the procedure. Recovery time varies from patient to patient.
