Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in women of childbearing age, and can come with a host of symptoms, including heavy or painful periods, bleeding between periods, frequent urination and pain in the abdomen, back and/or during intercourse. In some cases, fibroids can cause reproductive problems such as early labor, miscarriage or infertility.
If your doctor has determined that you have uterine fibroids and recommended uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), you may wonder about your options. When considering where to have your treatment, first consider the procedure itself.
UFE is a non-surgical procedure requiring a small incision in the skin where your leg meets your groin to allow a small catheter to be inserted into the femoral artery. A sedative and local anesthetic ensure that the process is virtually painless. The catheter is carefully guided into the uterine artery, which supplies blood to the uterus. Tiny, allergen-free particles are injected into the blood vessels feeding the fibroids, starving them of nourishment until they shrink and die. The procedure usually takes 60 to 90 minutes from start to finish.
While UFE is a highly effective alternative to surgery, it requires proper medical training and experience to be performed safely and correctly. The Board Certified Interventional Radiologists of RAO’s Center For Vascular Health are medical doctors with at least six years of additional training after medical school. We have been performing safe, effective UFE procedures for more than 20 years, and will work closely with your physician before, during and after your treatment, ensuring that you get the best possible care.
When it’s time to seek treatment for uterine fibroids, you can trust your care to the experienced, dedicated doctors of RAO’s Center For Vascular Health. Please give us a call or email us to ask questions or to make an appointment.
