UAE is a technique performed by specialized interventional physicians under local anesthesia. A small catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in your groin and threaded into the arteries to your uterus. Small particles are injected through the catheter to decrease blood flow to the fibroids, which usually causes them to shrink. In most patients, bleeding and pressure-related symptoms are significantly reduced.

The procedure of embolization in considered minimally invasive. This means that it is all done through a very small incision, usually not larger than the width of a pencil. A patient does not need general anesthesia for this type of procedure; it can be done without pain by using local numbing medicine and some sedation (medicine that causes drowsiness and relieves anxiety). Embolization is performed by interventional radiologists.

You should first discuss this procedure with your primary care physician or gynecologist. Unfortunately, many physicians are unaware of this alternative treatment for fibroids despite the fact that this procedure has now been used to treat well over a thousand patients in the United States. For specific information on this procedure you should contact an Interventional Radiologist in your locale.

The potential risks of the procedure include bleeding from the catheter entry site, infection, adverse reactions to medications or contrast media, blood vessel injury, inadvertent embolization of other tissues. The risk of a significant complication is less than 0.5%. In all studies to date, embolization has resulted in significant improvement or resolution of symptoms in more than 75% of patients treated.

Published reports have shown stable results with follow-up of more than 3 years in a few cases. For women approaching menopause, the results may well be permanent since estrogen production is declining and estrogen is required for fibroid growth. There is insufficient data at this time to predict the long-term durability in younger patients because estrogen secretion will continue for many years and, theoretically, may stimulate the formation of new fibroids.

The effect of uterine artery embolization on pregnancy is not fully known. Most women treated with this technique so far are no longer interested in having children and have not tried to become pregnant, so it is not yet known what percentage of women who have this procedure will be able to become pregnant should they so wish. Some women who have had the procedure have gone on to conceive and deliver. The effect of uterine artery embolization on the menstrual cycle is not fully known.

Most studies published thus far have focused on women who did not desire pregnancy. However, pregnancies have occurred and been carried to term following uterine artery embolization for fibroids. Small studies of women who underwent uterine artery embolization to control bleeding complications of labor and delivery have shown the return of normal menses within a few months in all cases and all women desiring subsequent pregnancy conceived and were successful in carrying to term.

The last one has links to the other posts about my UFE/UAE experience as well as comments from women about what they are going through. It is the day before my embolization treatment and in an effort to get a last minute, “real” handle on the procedure and what to expect (the whole pain pump afterwards seemed to be a bad sign of whats to come….

After UFE, the fibroids shrink and die while the normal uterus and uterine tissue lives. It is thought that the normal uterine tissue survives due to its ability to recruit new blood supply from other areas of the pelvis, while the fibroids rely solely on blood supply from the uterine arteries.

Whether or not a patient is a candidate for UFE depends on the exact size, number and location of the fibroids as well as the patient's symptoms. A detailed medical history and pelvic MRI are necessary prior to making a final determination. The ideal candidate is a patient who no longer desires fertility, has multiple small to medium size fibroids and whose primary clinical symptom is heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia).

Most major insurance companies are now covering uterine fibroid embolization. Depending on your plan, specific referrals or other preauthorization may be necessary. Please contact your insurance company directly, refer to our billing and insurance section of the website, or call us for further information or assistance.

You can find out more about uterine fibroids by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 800-994-9662 or the following organizations: This FAQ was expert reviewed by Dr. Evan Myers, Associate Professor and Chief, Division of Clinical and Epidemiological Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center.

There are many causes of excessive menstrual bleeding, cramping, urinary frequency, and bloating other than fibroids. It is very important that you be thoroughly evaluated by your doctor to exclude these other causes before we evaluate you for uterine fibroid embolization. Before being considered for UFE your doctor should confirm that you have fibroids with ultrasound or MRI and determine that your symptoms are caused by fibroids.

Embolization is a process intended to "embolize" or seal and close off blood vessels leading to and feeding an abnormal group of blood vessels. These abnormal blood vessels can occur in many areas of the body. including the brain and the digestive track.

UAE has been done since 1979 to help control uterine hemorrhaging and was first done in 1991 for the treatment of uterine fibroids. In 1996 it was offered as a primary therapy for uterine fibroids. Our Doctors have been performing this procedure since 1998, but have extensive experience with pelvic embolization.

Bleeding or excessive clotting at the puncture site. Bleeding is managed by the application of pressure and rarely by surgical repair of the vessel. Clotting is managed by a repeat arteriogram and either clot dissolving medicine or surgical removal of the clot. Contrast allergy. Some people are allergic to the contrast material. Allergic reactions can range from very mild to life threatening. Infection.

About 40% of women experience PES. It is a result of tissue necrosis from the infarcted myomata. PES is characterized by pain, fever, high white blood cell count, nausea and vomiting. This should be followed closely to distinguish it from a complicating infection.

We would be happy to discuss UFE with your gynecologist and answer any concerns he or she may have. Many gynecologists throughout the U.S. now recognize UFE as a treatment option in patients with uterine fibroids. Our preference is to work with your gynecologist to arrive at the best treatment decision for you. Fibroids & Hysterectomy | About UFE | Our Team | FAQs | Patient Testimonials | Location/Appointments | Contact Us | Home

Uterine fibroids are lumps that grow on your uterus. You can have fibroids on the inside , on the outside , or in the wall of your uterus. Your doctor may call them fibroid tumors, leiomyomas, or myomas. But fibroids are not cancer. You do not need to do anything about them unless they are causing problems. Fibroids are very common in women in their 30s and 40s. By the time they are 50, about 80 women out of 100 have fibroids. But fibroids usually do not cause problems.

Urinary frequency or other bladder symptoms caused by compression of the bladder by fibroids or compression of the ureters, which can cause hydronephrosis.

Gynecological exams will be done within 2 weeks of the procedure and at regular intervals as determined by your gynecologist. Clinical improvement in abnormal bleeding and in pelvic pain and/or pressure will be evaluated. MRI will be scheduled at 3 months and 12 months post procedure, plus a clinic visit with the radiologist. These will provide measurements of the uterus, fibroids and calculate uterine volume and volume of the dominant fibroid.

It is important to note that, unlike a hysterectomy, the uterine lining is not removed during UAE. Therefore, the uterus remains hormonally sensitive. The procedure does not stop normal menstruation and is not a form of contraception. Furthermore, the procedure does not stop the abnormal bleeding caused by fibroids. If you do not wish to become pregnant, it is important for you to continue using a method of conception control.

Carotid artery disease occurs when plaque builds up on the artery wall. This condition is called stenosis and is the leading cause of thrombolotic stroke. Early warning signs of stenosis can be detected by a primary care physician during a regular physical exam and include the presence of a carotid bruit or a difference in blood pressure in the right and left arms.

The coronary arteries, which supply oxygenated blood to the heart, may become diseased. Cholesterol deposits may accumulate in the inner lining of the coronary arteries, a process called atherosclerosis. This results in narrowing the vessel channel and compromises blood flow to the heart muscle.

The typical symptoms are chest pain or pressure ("angina"), sometimes with radiation to the arm or jaw, and shortness of breath. This may be accompanied by nausea, sweating, or dizziness. These symptoms typically are brought on with exertional or emotional stress. However, even when the coronary arteries become severely narrowed by cholesterol plaque, symptoms may be absent or subtle, especially in someone who leads a sedentary lifestyle.

The gold standard for diagnosis of coronary artery disease is coronary angiography, also known as cardiac catheterization, which is described below. Although cardiac cath is the gold standard, it is an invasive test and not appropriate for all patients. For this reason, noninvasive stress testing has been developed for the diagnosis of coronary disease.

The treatment of coronary disease is geared toward relief of symptoms of angina and reduction of the risk of future heart attack or death from cardiac cause. Several medications have been shown to reduce mortality from coronary disease. Aspirin, which is a weak blood thinner, reduces the risk of a first heart attack or of a future heart attack in a patient who has already suffered one.