If you’re trying to deal with heavy periods, cramping, bloating, or that constant feeling of pressure in your pelvis, you’re not imagining things, and you’re definitely not dealing with this alone. There are millions of women, just like you, that are living with this every single month, and for a long time it seemed that major surgery was the only real solution. The good news is that today, there are gentler options available, and one of them is a technique called uterine fibroid embolization. It just might be the hospital-free alternative that you’ve been hoping for.
What are uterine fibroids, and why do they cause heavy periods?
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus, and they’re far more common than most people think. Research suggests that up to 70 to 80 percent of women will develop them by the age of 50. Plenty of women never notice a thing, but when fibroids do act up, they can really make life difficult. There are a handful of fibroid symptoms that tend to show up together, and heavy periods are usually at the top of the list.
Along with the heavy bleeding, there’s often cramping, pelvic pressure, bloating, frequent trips to the bathroom, and the kind of fatigue that comes along with low iron levels. If any of this sounds familiar, don’t worry, there’s some encouraging news. There are new treatments available that target the fibroids directly without having to remove your uterus.
How uterine fibroid embolization works
Uterine fibroid embolization, often shortened to UFE, is a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the fibroids by cutting off their blood supply. An interventional radiologist makes a tiny pinhole-sized incision, usually in the wrist or groin, and gently guides a thin catheter directly to the arteries that provide blood to your fibroids. Then tiny particles, roughly the size of grains of sand, are released in order to block those vessels. Once that blood supply is gone, the fibroids start to break down and shrink, and your symptoms tend to ease over the following months. There are no large incisions and no stitches, so recovery is much easier, and there is no need for a hysterectomy.
Uterine fibroid embolization – a hospital-free alternative to hysterectomy
For years, a hysterectomy (the surgery that removes the uterus) was the standard fix for fibroids. It’s still the right call for some women, but it isn’t the only option any more, and that’s something that a lot of people are never told. UFE is an alternative to hysterectomy that treats all of your fibroids at once while keeping your uterus intact. Because there’s no major surgery and no general anesthesia required, it’s almost always done on an outpatient basis, which means you head home the same day and most women are back to normal in about a week. That is a fraction of the recovery time that is usually required for surgery.
Plus, the procedure has a technical success rate above 95 percent, with the great majority of patients reporting significant relief from heavy bleeding, pain, and pressure. There are some mild side effects that can be expected, like cramping and flu-like symptoms for a few days, but serious complications are rare.
Is uterine fibroid embolization the right fibroid treatment for you?
Uterine fibroid embolization is a wonderful fibroid treatment for many women, but it isn’t the right answer for everyone. There are a few situations where it usually isn’t recommended. If you’re pregnant, have an active pelvic infection, or there’s a known or suspected gynecologic cancer, UFE generally isn’t the right choice. If you’re hoping to get pregnant down the road, then this is worth a careful conversation as well, since the research on this is still growing.
The surest way to know is by having a consultation with an interventional radiologist, who can look at your imaging and your goals together with you. If fibroid pain and heavy bleeding are running the show in your life, just know that there are real options out there, and you deserve to hear about every one of them.
You don’t have to live with your fibroid symptoms any longer. Contact Raleigh Radiology today to find out if uterine fibroid embolization is the right choice for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the disadvantages of uterine fibroid embolization?
There are a few disadvantages of uterine fibroid embolization. You can expect some cramping, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms for a few days afterward, and there’s a small chance that fibroids could return or that you may need a follow-up procedure later on. It also isn’t ideal if you’re planning a future pregnancy, so that is something to talk through with your doctor.
Does uterine fibroid embolization really work?
Yes, for the vast majority of women it does. There are large studies showing that around 90 percent of patients get meaningful relief from heavy bleeding, pain, and pressure, and most start noticing a difference within a few months.
Who is not a good candidate for uterine fibroid embolization?
Uterine fibroid embolization generally isn’t recommended if you’re pregnant, have an active pelvic infection, or if there’s a suspected gynecologic cancer. Very large fibroids or those in tricky locations can make it less effective too, so a proper evaluation can help sort all of that out.
What is the success rate of fibroid embolization?
The technical success rate is above 95 percent, and most women report lasting symptom improvement. Repeat procedures are uncommon, and that’s a big reason why it has become such a trusted choice.