Lose the fibroids. Keep your uterus.
UFE is a minimally invasive way to treat uterine fibroids and an effective alternative to hysterectomy and myomectomy.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that grow on or within the lining of the uterus. They range in size from less than half an inch to more than 4 inches in diameter. Up to 40% of women over 35 have fibroids, and African American women are three times more likely to develop them than women of other ethnic backgrounds.
What are the symptoms of fibroids?
Surgery is NOT your only option
You may have been told that hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus) or myomectomy (surgery to remove the fibroids from the uterus) are the only options for treating fibroids. This is not true! Of the more than 500,000 hysterectomies performed in the United States each year, 75% of them are now considered unnecessary. In fact, an article in AARP The Magazine called hysterectomy one of “4 surgeries to avoid.”
It is important to know that “laparoscopic” surgery is still surgery! Even though this type of surgery results in smaller scars, it still carries the risks of surgery, and requires general anesthesia and a long recovery period.
A minimally invasive, non-surgical outpatient procedure called uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as a viable, non-surgical treatment for fibroids. It’s effective, covered by insurance and you can return home the same day as the procedure.
What is uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)?
UFE is a much less invasive, FDA-approved and highly effective approach for treating fibroids. The procedure is performed by a specialized doctor called an interventional radiologist, who uses X-ray imaging to guide a catheter through the bloodstream to the uterine artery. When the catheter has reached the location of the fibroids, the radiologist embolizes or “blocks” the blood vessels that feed the fibroid, depriving it of oxygenated blood. The fibroid then shrinks, and the symptoms gradually disappear.
UFE is performed on an outpatient basis at Joint & Vascular Institute. It takes less than an hour, and you may return home shortly after the procedure. Our doctors are among the region’s most experienced professionals at performing UFE, and have undergone additional 1-2 years of highly specialized training to perform this procedure.
How do I know if UFE is right for me?
You may be a candidate for UFE if you:
- Are experiencing the symptoms of uterine fibroids
- Are seeking an alternative to hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
- Wish to avoid surgery or are a poor candidate for surgery