Uterine Fibroid Embolization: What is it and how does it work?

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Therefore, common uterine fibroids are benign tumors in the uterus. Some are very small. Some grow so huge that they even change the shape of the uterus.

Almost all the women do not really know when they have fibroids. No symptoms at all. Sometimes there could be problems. Drastic menstrual bleeding. Pelvic pain. Frequent urination. Even constipation. Fibroids may definitely interfere with your fertility in some cases.

Some experts suggest about 80 percent of women develop fibroids before they are 50. Not all of them will have to be treated. But then, when the symptoms intervene with one's life, such as you will definitely want to look at options. Consider one of such options: Trusted uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). It is described as a minimally invasive procedure.

So exactly what does it entail? How does it work? And why is this a better choice for so many women?

A Brief Understanding of Uterine Fibroids

Being benign tumors derived from the muscle layer of the uterus, uterine fibroids are also called leiomyomas or myomas. The causes are still not well understood although estrogen and progesterone hormones appear to be significant.

Fibroids do not grow at the same rate. One can have only a single fibroid or can have several. They can present at different sites-like-submucosal, going deeper into the muscle wall (intramural), and even on the outer surface of the uterus (subserosal). Symptoms can, therefore, depend partly on the nature of the fibroid's location and partly on their size.

What is the procedure for Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

It is a less invasive treatment option for fibroids. It is considered a good alternative to such operations as hysterectomy or myomectomy.

The way this goes is as follows. The blood supply to the fibroid is cut off. Without blood supply, the fibroid begins to shrink, and there is a reduction in the symptoms. These procedures are performed by doctors known as interventional radiologists, who use imaging guidance along the way. No big cuts have been put into the patient. Something really minimal to start with.

Process of Uterine Fibroid Embolization

The whole UFE procedure is really simple and short. Here goes the usual route for UFE:

  • First lay yourself on the X-ray table.
  • An artery is invaded usually via a small incision in the groin or wrist through which a needle is inserted.
  • Introdution of catheter
  • Pausing for the improvement of the real-time X-ray images where the doctor carries the catheter further to the uterus arteries.
  • On reaching the uterine arteries, the catheter carries minute particles.
  • These particles are deliberately sent into the blood vessels serving the fibroid.
  • It is these blood vessels blocked by the particles where the fibroids start to shrink because they are cut off from nourishment.
  • Other arteries supply the uterus with blood, keeping it well.
  • The whole thing takes about an hour and a half.

You would then be settling in for the night in the hospital with medications given to relieve pain.

Why Women Choose UFE: The Benefits

Well, the benefits are countless, and that has led to an ever-increasing number of women opting for it over open surgery.

  • It is minimally invasive.
  • Little scarring.
  • Pain is usually less
  • Recovery time is fast. Most women are up and about within one to two weeks.
  • The procedure preserves the uterus-an absolute plus if you want children.

The studies have proven that UFE shrinks uterine fibroids, and in most cases, relieves symptoms.

To Keep in Mind: The Risks

There is no medical procedure that exists without risks. Consider these issues:

  • Pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting are possible immediately after.
  • Infection is a small possibility.
  • May sometimes affect the ovaries or uterus as well.

There are still few women who experience symptoms after procedures that are only partially successful, so it is critical for a woman to discuss the possibility with her physician beforehand.

Recovery Time

Post-UFE, one should spend at least a few hours being observed. Pain, unfortunately, is to be expected, but with pain killers, it is somewhat tolerable. Some women might feel nauseous or experience a slight fever, which exists only for a day or two.

The healing process requires a lot of rest. You also need to follow the doctor's directions regarding activities and their execution. Usually, full activities can be resumed within a week or two.

After a while, the doctor may suggest another MRI scan to check for any shrinkage in the fibroids. Most women report a noticeable difference until the end of time with regards to lighter menses, less pain, and improved quality of life.

Epilogue

If cavalier symptoms are symptoms one faces while being told they should have a knife used on them, it makes reallyperfect treatment to consider Uterine fibroid embolization. It is minimally invasive, the recovery time is way quicker, sight wrenching in less one year after cervicectomy if compared with either myomectomy or a hysterectomy. Once your fibroids are denied blood supply, they will eventually die and become easy to get rid of.

When you are considering treatment options, always speak with your reversible conscience physician who should be well familiar with fibroids and treatments involved in them. Excellent services in this area are furnished by Dr Gaurav Gangwani,, who undertakes the uterine fibroid embolization and other kinds of interventional radiology treatments.

UFE is among those things in the bag one should consider if the fun for you is not coming. It would seem to genuinely relieve most women without the need for a full-blown surgical intervention. If fibroids are interfering with your life, the voice speaks again through you to the doctor.

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