What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive procedure where a catheter is inserted into the groin or hand to selectively inject small particles into the blood vessels supplying the fibroid. This cuts off the blood supply to the fibroid, causing it to shrink over time.

When can the patient plan for a family after the procedure?

Patients can typically plan for a family after a minimum period of 6 months post UFE procedure.

How many and how big fibroids can an embolization procedure treat in one sitting?

The number and size of fibroids do not limit the UFE procedure; any number and size can be treated in one sitting.

Is uterine fibroid embolization a surgical procedure?

No, uterine fibroid embolization is not a surgical procedure. It is a minimally invasive angiographic procedure where the patient remains awake and experiences no pain during the procedure.

Why are hysterectomy or myomectomy procedures not recommended?

Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) is not recommended for benign fibroids because it is a more invasive procedure that eliminates the uterus entirely, affecting hormonal balance and potential for future pregnancies. Myomectomy (surgical removal of fibroids) is also surgical and may have risks and recovery times compared to UFE.

What do I experience after the embolization procedure?

After UFE, patients may experience mild pain, vomiting, or fever-like symptoms for a day or two, depending on the size of the fibroids. These symptoms can usually be managed with symptomatic care.

Will uterine fibroid embolization affect menstrual periods?

There may be a temporary disturbance in menstrual cycles for a month or two after UFE, which typically normalizes over time.

How common are fibroids in childbearing women?

Fibroids are common, affecting almost 1 in 3 women, whether they cause symptoms or not. In symptomatic women, fibroids may need treatment to prevent complications such as anemia, pregnancy complications, and infertility.

3983
3.3 Minute

01-08-2024 Team Medicover Gynecology

Uterine Fibroids: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Nowadays, infertility is a common problem among young couples. Factors such as altered lifestyles, food habits, and work-related stress contribute to this issue. Symptomatic uterine fibroids are frequently noted in young females in their 20s.

The number of couples experiencing infertility problems has increased over the years, with both male and female factors playing a role. In women, several factors significantly affect the ability to conceive.

Uterine fibroids, even in younger age groups, are a prevalent issue. These noncancerous (benign) growths of the uterus can potentially cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. Additionally, large fibroids may prevent a fetus from fully developing, increasing the risk of placental abruption, premature birth, or miscarriage.

Get a second opinion from trusted experts and makeconfident, informed decisions.

Get Second Opinion

Types of Uterine Fibroids

Subserosal fibroids
Intramural fibroids
Submucosal fibroids
Pedunculated fibroids

Possible Causes and Risk Factors

Although the exact cause of uterine fibroids is unknown, clinical studies suggest the following factors may contribute to their development:

Hormones: Estrogen appears to promote the growth of uterine fibroids.
Heredity: Uterine fibroids seem to run in families.
Obesity: Obese women have two to three times greater risk due to higher estrogen levels.
Unhealthy food habits and lifestyle

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Some women may not have any symptoms. For those who do, the symptoms can be influenced by the location, size, and number of fibroids. Common signs and symptoms include:

Heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding
Irregular bleeding between menstrual periods
Frequent and incomplete urination
Constipation
Back pain, lower abdominal pain, and leg pain
Bloating/distended abdomen
Infertility

Your health is everything - prioritize your well-being today.

Schedule Your Appointment

Complications Associated with Uterine Fibroids

If uterine fibroids continue to grow, they can cause various complications, including impaired fertility, severe pelvic pain, and heavy bleeding leading to anemia. Untreated fibroids in pregnant women might lead to:

Miscarriage
Preterm delivery
Fetal malpresentation (wrong fetal body position)
Heavy bleeding after giving birth (postpartum hemorrhage)

Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids

To diagnose uterine fibroids, the following tests may be used:

Abdominal Ultrasound
Vaginal Ultrasound
Hysteroscopy

In some cases, additional imaging tools, such as MRI, may be required.

Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids

The treatment method is determined by location, size, presenting symptoms, and individual conditions. Options include:

Medications for treating symptoms (do not eliminate fibroids)
Surgeries to remove fibroids, either hysterectomy or myomectomy (an open surgery/laparoscopy)
Uterine fibroid embolization: A non-surgical, daycare angiography method with no surgical cutting, suturing, opening, or anesthesia. It results in no blood loss, infections, or complications, and allows for faster recovery and shorter hospital stays.

Patients are admitted on the day of the procedure, and may leave by the end of the day or the next day. Symptoms will get relieved within a few days to weeks, but the fibroid size may take a few weeks to 2-3 months to significantly reduce.

Frequently Asked Questions

An IV cannula tube is placed in the groin, and a tube is selectively passed into the uterus via blood vessels. Some particle-like medications are injected into the fibroid selectively, cutting off the blood supply to the fibroid and causing it to shrink over time.

Patients can plan for a family with a minimum period of 6 months post-procedure.

Fibroids number and size do not matter in this treatment method; any number and size can be treated in one sitting.

It is not at all a surgical procedure. It is just a simple angiography procedure with an IV cannula line in the groin or hand where the patient is awake with no pain and can see what's happening on the monitor throughout the procedure.

Hysterectomy is not recommended as it is not worth removing the complete uterus when the fibroid is just a benign growth. The uterus has other vital hormonal functions in the body such as to maintain hormonal balance and keep the pregnancy option open, at least during the childbearing age. In case of myomectomy a surgical/minimal surgical procedure is performed.

Mild pain, vomiting, and fever-like symptoms may be experienced for a day or two, depending on the size of fibroids. However, these can be managed with symptomatic care.

There may be a menstrual cycle disturbance for a month or two, which gets normalized gradually.

They are present in almost 1 in every 3 women, whether symptomatic or non-symptomatic. But in symptomatic women, it needs to be attended and treated to prevent anemia, pregnancy complications, and infertility.