What are symptomatic fibroids?
Symptomatic fibroids refer to a condition where a person has growths called fibroids in their uterus, part of the female reproductive system. Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that can cause various symptoms leading to discomfort or pain.
A person with symptomatic fibroids may experience heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, frequent urination, or a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen. These fibroids can vary in size and number, and in some cases, they can interfere with fertility or pregnancy.
Understanding your options
Interventional radiology can help with symptomatic fibroids through a procedure called uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). With UFE, an interventional radiologist uses medical imaging to guide a tiny catheter into the blood vessels that supply blood to the fibroids in the uterus. Once in place, the interventional radiologist injects small particles into the blood vessels to block the blood flow to the fibroids. By cutting off their blood supply, the fibroids shrink in size and the symptoms they cause are often reduced or eliminated.
Uterine fibroid embolization is a less invasive alternative to surgery, such as a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), which was once the primary treatment for symptomatic fibroids. UFE offers the advantage of preserving the uterus, allowing women the potential to still have children in the future. It’s important to note that UFE, like any medical procedure, has its considerations and potential risks. Therefore, an interventional radiologist would evaluate the individual’s specific condition and medical history to determine if UFE is an appropriate treatment option.
Our goal as your care team
By working with other healthcare professionals, interventional radiologists can help women manage symptomatic fibroids by shrinking them and providing relief from the associated symptoms, ultimately improving their quality of life.
