Uterine fibroids affect approximately 1 in 2 women of reproductive age in the U.S.1
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus. They can grow in various parts of the uterus and vary in size. For many women, pain caused by uterine fibroids can severely impact their quality of life. There is not a complete understanding of how fibroids develop, but there is an understanding of the risk factors. Risk factors for fibroids includes a family history, early puberty, being African American and obesity.
More than 80% of African American women will have uterine fibroids by the age of 50.2
Uterine Fibroid Embolization Resources
70% of hysterectomies due to uterine fibroids can be avoided through less invasive alternatives.3
What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
UFE is a minimally invasive alternative to a hysterectomy or myomectomy. The procedure treats existing fibroids and prevents new fibroid growth while preserving the uterus. The procedure is performed in an outpatient setting by an Interventional Radiologist, a physician specially trained in minimally invasive procedures utilizing image guidance to diagnose and treat disease.
Since the 1970’s interventional radiologists have performed UFE procedures as a way of treating women that had uterine bleeding. Uterine fibroid embolization is a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure to treat women that have symptomatic uterine fibroids. Patients report a return to their normal activities a few weeks earlier than after having a hysterectomy.
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How are uterine fibroid embolizations performed?
Under image guidance, the physician makes a small, single incision opening in the groin, through which a thin catheter is placed in the artery and guided to the uterus. Then, microspheres are injected into the artery supplying blood to the fibroids. By injecting these microspheres, blood flow to the fibroids is cut off and, as a result, the fibroids shrink, relieving symptoms.
Mild intravenous sedation is used and a catheter is inserted into a small needle puncture and guided to a uterine artery. Interventional radiologists are able to block blood flow to specific areas that have a fibroid or are experiencing abnormal bleeding by injecting tiny particles to embolize the fibroid.
