Fibroids are common benign growths that arise from the muscle within the uterus. They occur in nearly one-third of women over the age of 30. Fibroids can be very small or grow to a large size and can cause symptoms in 10 to 20% of women who have them. The most common problems are heavy bleeding and pelvic pain. Uterine Fibroid Embolization is an effective alternative for many women whose fibroids cause symptoms that require treatment beyond medical therapy.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) was developed as a procedure to stop bleeding in emergency situations following childbirth in order to prevent hysterectomy. Now, this procedure is a non-surgical alternative to hysterectomy and myomectomy which often shrinks uterine fibroids within a few months, relieving excessive uterine bleeding and pain.
How does it work?
An interventional radiologist makes a small incision in the skin and femoral artery (in the groin), through which a catheter is inserted. Using advanced imaging techniques, the radiologist guides the catheter into the uterine artery and injects tiny particles into the blood vessels leading to the fibroids. These particles block blood flow to the fibroids, which causes them to shrink.