Uterine Fibroid Embolization
HEAVY PERIODS? PELVIC PAIN? FREQUENT URINATION? CONSTIPATION/BLOATING?
YOU MIGHT HAVE UTERINE FIBROIDS.
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow on or in the
muscles of the uterus (womb). At least 25 percent of women in the U.S. have fibroids.
African American women are more likely to develop fibroids.
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a proven, non-surgical alternative to
hysterectomy and myomectomy (for the treatment of fibroids). The benefits of a UFE procedure are vast, including:
- No surgery
- No general anesthesia
- The procedure takes roughly one hour
- Provides symptom control comparable to surgery
- Significantly shorter recovery (as little as one week)
- Covered by most insurance, including HMO's, and Medicaid
Questions to ask your Interventional Radiologist about UFE
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Yes, the majority of patients have significant improvement or complete resolution of their symptoms.
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In patients with bleeding related symptoms, there is an 80-90% chance of improvement. Patients with bulk related symptoms (pelvic/abdominal pressure/heaviness, urinary frequency or urgency, constipation) have a 70% chance of improvement.
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A consultation with an Interventional Radiologist (IR) will educate you on how he or she coordinates your care with an OB/GYN. The role of the IR is to be the specialist in this procedure, providing you clinical information regarding how uterine artery embolization works to treat symptomatic fibroids. The IR also serves as your immediate post-procedure contact for any questions or concerns. The IR informs your OB/GYN of the care given to you.
Your OB/GYN remains the primary caregiver for your reproductive health. The OB/GYN also provides the pre-procedure test required before uterine artery embolization. Results of these tests are shared with the IR. Working together, your IR and OB/GYN provide you the best possible care for your symptomatic uterine fibroids.
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Patients often experience what is called "post embolization syndrome" characterized by abdominal pain/cramping, nausea and/or fever, which is not a complication but a normal result of the fibroid tissue dying and being reabsorbed by the body. Complications during the procedure such as damage to the arteries or reactions to the contrast are rare, less than 2-3%. Complications after the procedure such as infection or vaginal discharge are also rare, less than 5%.
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During the procedure you will be given conscious sedation and will be relaxed but awake. During the next few hours, crampy abdominal pain and nausea are very common and will be controlled with medications as you are kept overnight in the hospital for observation. The next few days you will commonly feel as though you have a mild flu, which is not a complication, but a side effect of cutting off the blood supply to the fibroid tumor. This is known as the "post embolization" syndrome.
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Typically two weeks, which is significantly less than the 4-6 weeks off after surgical hysterectomy or myomectomy. Most patients resume normal activities within 10 days after the procedure.
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An overnight stay in the hospital, with the majority of patients discharged the next morning.
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The interventional radiologist will see you in follow up clinic visits after the procedure with MRI scans done at 6 and 12 months after the procedure.
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The majority of insurance providers cover UFE.
Find out if UFE is right for YOU
For more information on Uterine fibroid embolization or to speak with a medical professional regarding UFE please use the form below.
For more information on Uterine Fibroid Embolization please visit Ask4UFE.com.
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Ask4UFE.com offers detailed information about fibroids, along with symptom analysis, statistics, and testimonials. It provides comprehensive information about fibroid treatments and connects women with specialists and physicians in their area. |
Riverside Medical Center
Interventional Radiology
350 North Wall Street
Kankakee, Illinois 60901
Phone: (815) 802-7577
