Other symptoms that fibroids may cause include:
- pain or a feeling of pressure or fullness in the pelvic area,
back, or legs
- pain during sexual intercourse
- constant feeling of a need to urinate
- feeling of pressure in the bowels
- constipation
- bloating
Hysterectomy was once the only choice for women whose fibroids caused significant symptoms. However, women now have a choice of treatment options for uterine fibroid tumors. Another hysterecotmy alternative is myomectomy which surgically removes the fibroid while leaving the uterus intact. A relatively new alternative to hysterectomy for treating fibroids is called uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).
What is uterine fibroid embolization?
The word embolization means to stop or block the flow of blood. Uterine fibroid embolization is a way of stopping the blood supply to the fibroid. Fibroid tumors grow because they have a large blood supply that keeps them growing. If you stop the blood supply, fibroids will shrink or go away completely.Although uterine fibroid embolization is done in the hospital, it is not surgery. Before the procedure begins, patients are given medication to help them relax and feel sleepy. Uterine fibroid embolization does not cause pain.
What is the procedure for uterine fibroid embolization?
A specially trained doctor called an interventional radiologist performs uterine fibroid embolization. The procedure begins with a tiny incision in the groin area. A tiny tube called a catheter is passed through the incision through an artery to the uterus. Next the doctor injects tiny particles of plastic or gelatin sponge into the catheter. These particles are about the size of a grain of sand. The particles move through the catheter into the arteries that supply blood to the fibroid, and stop the flow of blood to the fibroid, causing the fibroid to shrink or disappear completely overtime.Uterine artery embolization of fibroid tumors is successful for about 85% of the women who choose this treatment. Most women will stay in the hospital for one night following the procedure and can return to normal activities after one week.
Are there any side effects to uterine fibroid embolization?
As with any procedure there is certain risk involved, although uterine fibroid embolization is considered a very safe procedure. Most women can expect moderate to severe cramps for the first few hours after the procedure, and some women may experience nausea and fever. The doctor can prescribe medication to help with these common side effects.Sometimes an infection may occur following uterine fibroid embolization. When infection occurs, antibiotics are prescribed. Although rare, injury to the uterus occurs in about 1% of procedures and can make a hysterectomy necessary. Some women report immediate menopause following the procedure, and studies about getting pregnant following uterine artery embolization are incomplete.
Is uterine fibroid embolization right for you?
Only you, together with your doctor can decide if uterine artery embolization is the right treatment choice for your fibroid tumors. The good news is that most insurance companies will pay for this procedure--check with your insurance company to see what their policy is about this procedure.How can you find an interventional radiologist?
The Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiologists has an online database of members. You can search for an interventional radiologist who performs uterine fibroid embolization in your area.Source:
ACOG Issues Opinion on Uterine Artery Embolization for Treatment of Fibroid Tumors. ACOG.org. http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr01-30-04-2.cfm. Accessed 08/24/09.
