Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors of smooth muscle, which is the type of muscle that makes up the uterus. They are also called leiomyomas or myomas. Fibroids may arise in different parts of the uterus.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Uterine fibroids may cause abnormal uterine bleeding and/or pelvic pain and pressure. Fibroids are usually diagnosed during a gynecologic examination. Your physician will likely detect that your uterus is enlarged due to one or more uterine fibroids during your pelvic examination. A minority of patients with uterine fibroids have a normal size uterus. The presence of fibroids is most often confirmed by a pelvic ultrasound. Fibroids can be further evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is an important test to determine your treatment options. Appropriate treatment depends on the size and location of the fibroids, as well as the severity of your symptoms. Treatment Options
Women are offered medical management or surgical procedures for symptomatic uterine fibroids, including hormone therapy and hysterectomy. The presence of fibroids is the most common reason for a woman to have a hysterectomy in the United States. Uterine Fibroid Embolization is an alternative for those who wish to avoid a hysterectomy or those who find hormonal therapy ineffective. Patient Experience
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) gives women an important, minimally-invasive treatment option to hysterectomy and other invasive surgeries. UFE is also known as Uterine Artery Embolization.
You will be treated at either Fairview Southdale Hospital or Fairview Riverside Campus, where you will be registered. Before the procedure, you will be brought to the procedure suite, and an intravenous (IV) will be started so that you may receive IV sedation and pain management.
During the UFE procedure, a small catheter will be inserted into an artery in your groin and directed into the artery on each side of your uterus. With the catheter in position, embolic particles will be placed into both uterine arteries, blocking blood flow to the fibroids, which will make your fibroids shrink over time. The procedure takes about two hours and requires an overnight hospital stay to ensure appropriate pain management. Patients are discharged the following morning and most women report a return to normal activities in approximately one week. Length of recovery time does vary from patient to patient.
Contact Us
For more information, please call our interventional coordinator at the Minnesota Vascular Clinic at 952-345-4178. |
