Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

The muscular walls of the uterus can sometimes be invaded by non-cancerous fibroid tumors. These tumors are also known as myomas and are a form of benign tumors. While these fibroid tumors rarely become cancerous, they can lead to other severe conditions such as increased menstrual bleeding, bowel or bladder pressure, and pelvic discomfort.

Admittedly, while uterine fibroid embolization shows a high success rate, more research is still needed on the subject. For instance, at the moment, the procedure is usually performed on women who no longer desire to get pregnant. The UFE procedure may also be used on women who wish to avoid a hysterectomy procedure

As mentioned above, uterine fibroid treatment is rather straightforward and minimally invasive. As a result, the procedure can be used in a wide variety of cases. Some of the instances where the treatment is necessary or advocated for include:

• Malignant gynecological tumors
• Hemorrhage after childbirth
• General or specific trauma

UFE is a minimally invasive procedure that is effective for treating uterine fibroids and is considered an alternative to uterine fibroid surgery removal. UFE is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, which means that most women go home the same day for recovery.

UFE has several benefits over hysterectomy. Besides involving only a small nick in the groin or wrist for catheter insertion, the uterus is preserved. There is no scar with UFE. For a UFE, conscious sedation is used, unlike for a hysterectomy, where the woman receives general anesthesia. The recovery time for UFE is generally within 2 weeks, which is significantly faster than the usual 6-week recovery time after hysterectomy.

Women who have a hysterectomy that removed both the uterus and ovaries usually just get estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) alone. But women who have only the ovaries removed need both estrogen and progestin because estrogen alone can increase the risk of cancer in the uterus.

The recovery time for UFE is generally within 2 weeks, which is significantly faster than the usual 6-week recovery time after hysterectomy.

The idea of having your entire uterus removed is psychologically daunting for women as some women may still want the option to carry a child, do not want to undergo a general surgery and/or feel like removing the uterus takes away part of their identity as a female.

Benefits:

There’s no need for surgery as the procedure is minimally invasive

You can resume regular activity sooner and faster

The procedure is highly effective, boasting well over 90% efficacy rating

Fibroids rarely regrow after the uterine embolization treatment

Risks: 

On the other hand, some of the risks that could occur during the procedure are;

The procedure pierces the skin and could leave an infection if not properly cleaned

The embolic agents need to be guided carefully, or they could lodge in the wrong area

Fibroids can lead to chronic pain and an array of other conditions. With uterine embolization treatment, you can now get relief and get back to your healthy self.

Once discharged, expect to resume your normal activities within a few days; however, don’t drive within the first week following the procedure. Of course, you can wait for longer in case of groin discomfort and get medical care too.

After your operation or therapy, your doctor may urge a follow-up scan and checkup. This is to determine whether the operation was successful and address any changes or adverse effects you may have noticed following the treatment. Just like other varicose veins on the leg, engorged veins in the thigh, vulva, buttocks, etc., may need to be treated separately.

The enlarged veins should gradually reduce in size within a few weeks by preventing reflux in pelvic veins. Even the vulvar varicose veins should disappear. You can also seek treatment for any varices in the lower legs. Various safe treatment options can be used to rid of the condition for good. However, seek treatment for other vein varices only after dealing with pelvic vein varices to reduce the chances of the condition coming back in the future. After treatment, any symptoms you’ve been experiencing due to the vein varices should go away.

Available treatment options for PVCs include pain-relieving progestin hormone drugs, ovarian function-blocking Gonadotropin-releasing hormones, vein embolization, and surgery to rid Of damaged veins, and uterus. and ovaries. Customarily. your doctor will start you on the medications first to relieve pain. If the medications fail, then they may advise on the next step, usually the invasive options. Vein embolization is the most commonly used procedure.

What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

The muscular walls of the uterus can sometimes be invaded by non-cancerous fibroid tumors. These tumors are also known as myomas and are a form of benign tumors. While these fibroid tumors rarely become cancerous, they can lead to other severe conditions such as increased menstrual bleeding, bowel or bladder pressure, and pelvic discomfort.

Admittedly, while uterine fibroid embolization shows a high success rate, more research is still needed on the subject. For instance, at the moment, the procedure is usually performed on women who no longer desire to get pregnant. The UFE procedure may also be used on women who wish to avoid a hysterectomy procedure.

When is Uterine Fibroid Embolization Used?

As mentioned above, uterine fibroid treatment is rather straightforward and minimally invasive. As a result, the procedure can be used in a wide variety of cases. Some of the instances where the treatment is necessary or advocated for include:

Malignant gynecological tumors

Hemorrhage after childbirth

General or specific trauma

The healthcare professional will first need to ascertain if the fibroid tumors are the underlying cause of any visible and diagnosable symptoms. Afterward, they’ll need to determine the size, location, and the number of fibroids. This can be done with the help of an ultrasound machine or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment.

• • Since this is a minimally invasive procedure, the tools and equipment used are reasonably common and risk-free. Some of the equipment to be used in uterine fibroid embolization treatment includes a catheter, x-ray machines, and various embolic agents and medications.The synthetic material used is known as embolic agents and varies in composition and efficacy. The three most common types of embolic agents are
  • Gelfoam whose texture resembles spongy material
  • Polyvinyl alcohol, which resembles coarse sand
  • Microspheres, which is a polyacrylamide sphere coated with gelatin
  • These tolls, equipment, and medication are all safe to use during the uterine fibroid embolization treatment.

  Benefits and Risks Associated with Uterine Embolization treatment 

  • The doctor will monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. Some patients suffer slight pain or discomfort following the surgery, which can be managed with simple medications taken by mouth or intravenously through the cannula.

  Bed rest is advisable for a short period after the procedure. Most patients are cleared to leave the hospital after 4 hours. However, if you’re in significant pain, you might want to stay for longer and get extra care.Some of the advantages of uterine fibroid embolization include:

  Benefits:

• • • There’s no need for surgery as the procedure is minimally invasive

    You can resume regular activity sooner and faster

    The procedure is highly effective, boasting well over 90% efficacy rating

    Fibroids rarely regrow after the uterine embolization treatment

• • UFE is a minimally invasive procedure that is effective for treating uterine fibroids and is considered an alternative to uterine fibroid surgery removal. UFE is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, which means that most women go home the same day for recovery.UFE has several benefits over hysterectomy. Besides involving only a small nick in the groin or wrist for catheter insertion, the uterus is preserved. There is no scar with UFE. For a UFE, conscious sedation is used, unlike for a hysterectomy, where the woman receives general anesthesia. The recovery time for UFE is generally within 2 weeks, which is significantly faster than the usual 6-week recovery time after hysterectomy.Women who have a hysterectomy that removed both the uterus and ovaries usually just get estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) alone. But women who have only the ovaries removed need both estrogen and progestin because estrogen alone can increase the risk of cancer in the uterus.The recovery time for UFE is generally within 2 weeks, which is significantly faster than the usual 6-week recovery time after hysterectomy.The idea of having your entire uterus removed is psychologically daunting for women as some women may still want the option to carry a child, do not want to undergo a general surgery and/or feel like removing the uterus takes away part of their identity as a female.Benefits:There’s no need for surgery as the procedure is minimally invasiveYou can resume regular activity sooner and fasterThe procedure is highly effective, boasting well over 90% efficacy ratingFibroids rarely regrow after the uterine embolization treatmentRisks: On the other hand, some of the risks that could occur during the procedure are;The procedure pierces the skin and could leave an infection if not properly cleaned

    The embolic agents need to be guided carefully, or they could lodge in the wrong area

    Fibroids can lead to chronic pain and an array of other conditions. With uterine embolization treatment, you can now get relief and get back to your healthy self.

    Once discharged, expect to resume your normal activities within a few days; however, don’t drive within the first week following the procedure. Of course, you can wait for longer in case of groin discomfort and get medical care too.

    After your operation or therapy, your doctor may urge a follow-up scan and checkup. This is to determine whether the operation was successful and address any changes or adverse effects you may have noticed following the treatment. Just like other varicose veins on the leg, engorged veins in the thigh, vulva, buttocks, etc., may need to be treated separately.

    The enlarged veins should gradually reduce in size within a few weeks by preventing reflux in pelvic veins. Even the vulvar varicose veins should disappear. You can also seek treatment for any varices in the lower legs. Various safe treatment options can be used to rid of the condition for good. However, seek treatment for other vein varices only after dealing with pelvic vein varices to reduce the chances of the condition coming back in the future. After treatment, any symptoms you’ve been experiencing due to the vein varices should go away.