Uterine Fibroid Embolization
If you’re suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding or pelvic pain, and have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, you may be a candidate for uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). This minimally invasive procedure to treat fibroids is available at Orlando Regional Medical Center and Dr. P. Phillips Hospital.
UFE is a nonsurgical, FDA-approved alternative to surgery that has been used to successfully treat uterine fibroids for more than 20 years. The UFE procedure typically lasts less than an hour and requires only a small incision. It can be performed on an outpatient basis or may require a one-night stay in the hospital. A small incision in the groin or wrist is all that is necessary to perform the procedure.
UFE works by cutting off the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink. Compared with a hysterectomy, the UFE procedure offers the following advantages:
- A quick return to everyday activities and a lower complication rate
- No large surgical incision
- No need for general anesthesia
- Ability for women to retain their uterus
UFE typically involves only 7–10 days of recovery as opposed to six to eight weeks of recovery after a hysterectomy.
The overwhelming majority of women who have the UFE procedure experience significant or total relief from heavy bleeding, pain and other related symptoms. The procedure is effective for multiple fibroids and large fibroids. Recurrence of treated fibroids is rare. The UFE procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist. Following post-procedure care, patients return to their gynecologist for routine, ongoing care.
In rare cases, a woman may start menopause following the UFE procedure. Your uterus is not removed during UFE, so you could still become pregnant. The long-term effect that UFE may have on a woman's ability to have a child is not known. It may reduce chances of becoming pregnant for some women, but in others it may increase the likelihood of becoming pregnant.
