Did you know that, on average, 70% of women are diagnosed with fibroids during their reproductive phase? Fibroids are more prevalent in women aged 40-50 years. Also referred to as myomas or leiomyomas, fibroids are non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus. The abnormal growths are made up of fibrous tissue and muscle. They vary in size and may or may not have any signs. In some instances, fibroids can cause serious discomfort, necessitating treatment. Plantation uterine fibroid embolization is an ideal treatment option for patients looking to address fibroids and their unpleasant symptoms.
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) entails cutting the blood supply to abnormal growths. After the supply is cut, the fibroids reduce in size, die off, and some even detach. Among the advantages that continue to propel UFE’s popularity include the following:
- Less invasive
Unlike open surgery, UFE is done under local anesthesia and does not require an incision to remove the fibroids or include uterus removal. The procedure entails only a small nick in the skin, where the catheter is inserted. The less invasive procedure also means you won’t need stitches to close an incision or heavy bandaging.
- Faster recovery
No incision means you will not be overwhelmed with wound care concerns. This also means faster recovery, and you can typically resume your routine weeks earlier than you would with options like a hysterectomy.
- Effective treatment
UFE delivers a high satisfaction rate, with an overage of over 90% of the patients reporting improvements. The treatment can offer significant or complete resolution of fibroids-related concerns like pelvic pain/pressure and heavy menstrual bleeding. Moreover, the fibroids do not regrow after UFE, making it a long-term solution, especially compared to hormone treatments. UFE can even work on smaller growths that may not be visible through imaging diagnosis, such as during early stages, meaning you will stop growth, regrowth, and development of new fibroids.
- Fewer risks
UFE, especially compared to open surgery, has significantly fewer risks. Blood loss is minimal since there are no incisions. Complications during recovery are relatively low since no special care is needed. General anesthesia is not required, meaning you won’t be put under or exposed to risks like early consciousness.
UFE, under an experienced specialist’s hands, has few risks and complications. Nonetheless, it is not risk-free, with common concerns including:
- Bruising, bleeding, and blood vessels damage due to catheter insertion
- Bleeding and infection at the puncture site
- Allergic reactions to the X-Ray materials, such as itching, breathing difficulty, or impact on blood pressure
- Lodging of the embolic agent in the wrong place; can deprive normal tissue of blood supply.
- Passing small fibroids tissues. This happens when the fibroids die and detach and could require dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove them and address concerns like bleeding.
Leg pain, backache, constipation, frequent urination, challenges emptying the bladder, pelvic pain/pressure, and abnormal menstrual periods are some of the common fibroids symptoms. Such concerns can significantly impact your overall wellness and quality of life. UFE can help address this, making it easier to lead an active lifestyle. Visit South Florida Vascular Associates today for more on fibroids and to find out if you are a good uterine fibroid embolization candidate.