Women diagnosed with uterine fibroids are usually told by their gynecologist they need a hysterectomy to relieve their symptoms. But for the majority of women, there are non-surgical options. Interventional radiologists are having great success with a treatment option called uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). Although UFE has been used as a treatment for fibroids in the U.S. since 1997, the procedure has recently received lots of exposure in the media—in newspaper articles, TV, and magazines.

How do you know if you have fibroids?
Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths found in women of reproductive age. It’s estimated that between 20–40% of women 35 and older have fibroids that are significant in size. This percent increases to 50% for African-American women.

For most women, fibroids remain small and harmless. Only about 10–20% of women who have fibroids need treatment. You should see your gynecologist if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

Your gynecologist will conduct a pelvic exam to find out if your uterus is enlarged. If your doctor suspects fibroids are causing your symptoms, he or she may obtain an imaging exam such as an ultrasound or MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

How are fibroids treated?
Treatment of fibroids depends on the size, location, and severity of symptoms. Options are:

UFE has emerged as a safe, effective non-surgical treatment option for fibroids. UFE is performed by interventional radiologists who are trained in minimally invasive treatments guided by diagnostic imaging like ultrasound or X-ray. They are certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

What can you expect during the procedure?
The procedure is done at a hospital. Before the procedure, the patient is given moderate sedation to feel sleepy and relaxed. Local anesthesia numbs the groin area where the interventional radiologist makes a tiny nick in the skin to reach the femoral artery. Using x-ray to guide the procedure, a thin tube, called a catheter, is guided from the femoral artery to the uterine artery.

The interventional radiologist then injects tiny particles through the catheter into the artery that is supplying blood to the fibroid tumor. This embolizes—stops or blocks—the blood supply to the fibroid. The catheter is then removed and the insertion site is cleaned and bandaged. The entire procedure lasts about 60 to 90 minutes.

The patient may need to stay in the hospital overnight for observation and pain management.

What are the results?
The success rate for UFE is high. Because the surgery is minimally invasive, 80% of women return to normal activities within four days, 20% within 7–10 days. Most women who have the procedure require no additional treatment. They experience significant or total relief from heavy menstrual bleeding around three to six months following the procedure.

Is UFE right for you?
There are benefits to UFE—a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and a high success rate. However, there are some risks—the effect of UFE on fertility has not yet been adequately studied, although women have been known to give birth after having UFE. To decide if the procedure is right for you, discuss all your options with your primary care physician, your gynecologist, and an interventional radiologist.

We encourage you to contact us at any time to discuss your questions and concerns.