“Can you tell me a little about uterine fibroid embolization to treat uterine fibroids?”

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is an excellent alternative to hysterectomy. If you have 1 or multiple fibroids in her uterus that are all hopefully less than a proximally 11-12 cm in diameter, that can be adequately treated and shrunk down with embolized in the uterine arteries bilaterally that lead to them in your uterus. If he wanted to still have children, UF he is the best option. If your done having children or 45 years old or older, I would recommend talking with the OB/GYN about considering hysterectomy instead. The UFE procedure has some risks involved including having the embolic particles going to undesirable non targeted vessels including the ovarian artery which could put you into early menopause, but that is much more rare these days as the procedure has been significantly improved over the past 20 years. 1 thing that is important to note with uterine fibroid embolization is that it does come with some significant pain as a result of the about part of her goals which dissipates over the coming days afterwards. You will need to take pain medication at home afterwards. You can have the procedure done in the hospital with injectable pain medication like Dilaudid or morphine, or you can do the procedure in an outpatient setting just as easily but then have to manage the pain at home as long as your properly premedicated before, during, and after the procedure using proper protocols. Hope that helps.

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) has actually been around for many years, but unfortunately, many people have still not heard about it. UFE is a minimally-invasive, low risk alternative to surgery (hysterectomy or myomectomy). Unlike surgery, this procedure requires minimal or no hospital stay and a shorter recovery time. There is also a lower complication rate and blood loss compared to surgery. Plus, your uterus is preserved. In this procedure, blood supply to the fibroid tumors is blocked, making them shrink.

During a UFE, a thin tube called a catheter is inserted through a blood vessel in the leg or wrist and guided by fluoroscopic (X-ray) images to the blood vessels that supply the fibroids of the uterus. Tiny particles are then injected to stop blood flow to the fibroids. Most patients go home the same day or the following day with expected pelvic cramping and pain, which is managed with medication. Many women resume light activity within 2-5 days and regular activity within a week.

The procedure itself is relatively straight forward and usually takes about an hour. Patients then return home while the fibroids gradually shrink over the next few months. Approximately 9 out of 10 patients who undergo uterine fibroid embolization will experience significant improvement or their symptoms will go away completely.

As mentioned, this is a low-risk procedure. However, risks do include, but are not limited to, access site hemorrhage/hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, infection, arterial injury, contrast allergy, nontarget embolization, myometrial injury, ovarian failure, fibroid passage, ileus, and postembolization syndrome (fever, pain, nausea, vomiting, malaise).

Most individuals who undergo the procedure have a dramatic improvement in their symptoms and a decrease in size of their uterine fibroids. If menstruation has been heavy, it will usually return to a more normal flow after UFE. Other symptoms from bulky uterine fibroids will also improve, such as pelvic pressure, bloating, urinary frequency, and constipation.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization is a procedure where the doctor inserts a small catheter through the artery in the groin or wrist into the vessels that supply the fibroids. This allows them to inject tiny particles into the tumor to block the blood supply. The tumors then die and shrink down 40-60% in volume. The procedure is very safe, effective, and most commonly done as an outpatient. Risks such as bleeding and infection are minimal and should be discussed with your doctor in person. You can go to our website www.HoustonFibroids.com for more information if you like. Good luck!

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus. They can cause very heavy bleeding, pain, heaviness, severe cramping, significant blood loss causing anemia... Because they are tumors we can starve them and cut off their blood supply through a tiny nick in the right groin making them shrink and stop causing significant symptoms. Many patients prefer this to hysterectomy

It is Embolization of the 2 uterine arteries with particles. Usually arteries which supply the uterus are accessed from the artery near the hip called the femoral artery. Most of the time, the procedure takes less than 2 hours. Generally requires over night stay in the hospital. 80% to 90% effective. Recovery at home like 5 to 7 days. Main risk is sloughing off fibroid with persistent discharge or associated with infection. Major complications requiring surgery or other intervention probably less than 2%.

Its a very safe procedure for the right patient but it is 95% effective and has been around for a while since 1995. You need an MRI to see more details about your fibroid. Any IR can help you to see if you are a good candidate for it. Another thing that needs to be known is your age as there is possibility of infertility (it is low risk) but remember possibility of infertility with hysterectomy is 100%!! It is a decision that has to be made with you and your doctor and an IR who can let you know your options and see if you are a good candidate for this procedure (most woman are!)