Uterine Fibroids

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids, also known as myomas, are non-cancerous growths in your uterus that often appear during childbearing years. They can occur as a single fibroid or many fibroids, and can range in size from tiny to larger than a softball.

What are
uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids, also known as myomas, are non-cancerous growths in your uterus that often appear during childbearing years. They can occur as a single fibroid or many fibroids, and can range in size from tiny to larger than a softball.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Types of uterine fibroids

There are four types of uterine fibroids:

• Intramural Fibroids: These are the most common type of fibroids. They develop in the uterine wall and expand.

• Pedunculated Fibroids: These grow on stalks or stems. The stems are attached to the uterine wall and can grow either outside the uterus or inside the uterine cavity.

• Subserosal Fibroids: These develop in the outer portion of the uterus and continue to grow outward.

• Submucosal Fibroids: These are the least common type of fibroids. They develop within the uterine cavity and can cause excessive and prolonged menstrual bleeding.

Uterine fibroid symptoms

Uterine fibroids can produce mild symptoms—or sometimes no symptoms at all. Treating uterine fibroids is a priority for most women seeking relief from painful symptoms, such as:

• Abnormal menstrual cycle, including heavy bleeding or increased frequency
• Acute or severe pelvic pain
• Bloating
• Pain during or after sexual intercourse
• Painful menstrual periods
• Pressure on the bladder causing frequent urination

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

What causes uterine fibroids?

By age 35, about 40% of Caucasian women and about 60% of African American women will have uterine fibroids. We don’t know the exact cause of uterine fibroids, but these factors seem to play a role in uterine fibroid development:

• Age and menopause
• Diet
• Genetics
• Hormones
• Hormone disruption
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Race and ethnicity

While these may contribute to the development of uterine fibroids, the connection between uterine fibroids and these factors is still being studied.

Uterine Fibroid Diagnosed

How are uterine fibroids diagnosed?

Fibroids are usually detected during a routine pelvic exam when your gynecologist feels an enlarged uterus. The diagnosis is often confirmed using ultrasound or, less commonly, an MRI.

These imaging tests are usually performed in an outpatient setting. They can help your doctor gather the information needed to develop a uterine fibroid treatment plan.

Uterine fibroid treatment options

There are several treatment options for uterine fibroids, and you may be surprised to learn that not all treatments require surgery. Factors that could influence how you treat your fibroids may include whether or not you hope to have children in the future and how severe your symptoms are.

The four most common procedures to remove uterine fibroids are:

Uterine Fibroid Embolization:
A minimally invasive procedure performed by a vascular specialist, such as an interventional radiologist. During uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), fibroids are cut off from the blood supply through an artery in your leg or wrist. UFE is typically appropriate for most sizes and locations of fibroids.

Endometrial Ablation:A procedure that destroys the lining of the uterus and the fibroids. This procedure treats small fibroids in the uterus. However, conceiving a child may be more difficult if you want to become pregnant. Endometrial ablation also increases the chance of miscarriage.
Myomectomy:A procedure to remove all types of fibroids, regardless of where they are located. There are three approaches to performing a myomectomy—hysteroscopy, laparotomy, and laparoscopy. Depending on the approach, fibroids are removed through incisions in your abdomen or a scope through your cervix.
Hysterectomy:A surgical procedure that removes the uterus, including any uterine fibroids. It is often recommended to women who have very large fibroids, have extremely heavy bleeding, or are perimenopausal or post-menopausal. A hysterectomy—partial, full, or radical—will eliminate your ability to have children.

Find a specialist who treats uterine fibroids

Before choosing any uterine fibroids treatment, you should talk to your doctor to fully understand the benefits and risks of each treatment option. Depending on your circumstances, where your fibroids are located, and their size, a UFE specialist can help determine if you are a good candidate for minimally invasive uterine fibroid embolization.

UFE Appointment Chat BubbleUterine Fibroid DiagnosedUFE Appointment Chat Bubble

Request a UFE appointment

UFE is a minimally invasive treatment option that shrinks uterine fibroids. To make an appointment, schedule one online or call 844.833.2273

Frequently Asked Questions about UFE

How is uterine fibroid embolization performed?

UFE is performed under conscious sedation. A small catheter is inserted into the groin or wrist and threaded up through the blood vessels to the uterine arteries. Tiny, medical-grade synthetic particles are then injected into the uterine arteries to block the blood supply to the fibroids. The procedure takes about one hour and is performed in an outpatient setting.

What is the success rate of uterine fibroid embolization?

The average success rate is approximately 90%, according to the results of several UFE studies. After five years, about 80% of patients are asymptomatic. In four out of five patients, it is not necessary to have a hysterectomy or other treatment for uterine fibroids.

What are the risks and side effects of uterine fibroid embolization?

Although UFE is very safe and carries less risk than surgery, any medical procedure has some potential side effects or risks. Most women experience moderate to severe pain and cramping during the first several hours after the procedure, and some also experience nausea and low-grade fever. All of these can be successfully controlled with appropriate pain medications. It is uncommon to have a low-grade fever, mild nausea, and malaise for more than three to four days after the embolization. In a minimal number of cases (3-4%), infection is a complication. These infections can usually be controlled with antibiotics. Serious complications occur in fewer than 1% of the procedures, and a hysterectomy is needed.

Is UFE covered by insurance?

Yes, most insurers cover uterine fibroid embolization.