UFE with Christopher Laing, MD

Hysterectomy or surgery to remove the uterus is the most common type of surgical treatment for fibroids with over 600,000 performed every year in the US for fibroids. This is the only way to ensure that the fibroids will not come back but it is more painful with a longer hospital stay and longer recovery time than other surgical treatments. You cannot become pregnant after a hysterectomy.

Myomectomy or surgery to remove the fibroids while keeping the uterus is probably the best option for women who want to have children in the future. Although there is no guarantee you will be able to have children after the procedure the studies to date show that this procedure gives you the best chances. The hospital stay and recovery time is typically not as long as hysterectomy but the fibroids may grow back after the procedure.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) also known as Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed by Interventional Radiologists who use X-ray guidance to block the blood vessels feeding the fibroids causing them to shrink. Fibroids treated with this procedure can shrink an average of 48-78% and the uterus is not removed. This procedure is less painful than hysterectomy and has the shortest hospital stay and recovery time. Most women are able to go home the day after the procedure and return to work in 10-14 days. Fibroids may be incompletely treated in one setting or may grow back. 1 in 10 women will need additional treatment for fibroid re-growth or treatment failure.

There are 3 main types of surgery for uterine fibroids, hysterectomy, myomectomy and uterine fibroid embolization. Large studies have shown that all three treatment options are effective with similar complication and patient satisfaction rates. Which type of treatment is right for you depends on multiple factors including how big and where in the uterus your fibroids are, your desire to keep your uterus, what kind of lifestyle you lead and weather or not you want children after the procedure.

If you have been diagnosed with fibroids you’re among the hundreds of thousands of other women world-wide with fibroids. If your fibroids are not bothering you, you do not need any treatment for them. Your doctor can monitor your fibroids during your regular visits. If your main problems are pain or heavy bleeding your fibroids may be able to be treated with over the counter pain medicines like ibuprofen or with birth control pills your doctor may prescribe. If your problems are more severe you may need surgery or minimally invasive fibroid embolization (link to RAS website) – a non-surgical procedure performed by an interventional radiologist that involves the occlusion of blood vessels).

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and will often do a pelvic exam to evaluate the size of your uterus. If fibroids are suspected an ultrasound or other imaging test is often done to confirm the diagnosis. Confirming the diagnosis of fibroids with testing is important as other more serious conditions such as endometrial (uterus) cancer or ovarian cancer can mimic the symptoms of fibroids.

Uterine fibroids can cause symptoms of abnormally long or excessive menstrual bleeding, menstrual cramping, fullness or pressure in the belly, the need to urinate frequently, constipation, low back or leg pain as well as infertility and painful intercourse. Heavy bleeding during periods can lead to anemia which can make you feel weak or tired. Tomorrow: How are Uterine Fibroids Diagnosed and Treated.

Uterine fibroids or leiomyomas are non-cancerous tumors (growths) that develop within the uterus. While doctors aren’t sure exactly what causes fibroids the female hormones estrogen and progesterone have been implicated in their growth. These hormones are at their highest levels during menstrual periods and during pregnancy and are at their lowest levels after menopause.

We know the importance of regular mammograms. But are you aware of Uterine Fibroids and the fact that the same age group of women is often affected? If you’re a women over 35 years of age and don’t have uterine fibroids, chances are you know someone who does. Uterine fibroids or leiomyomas are so common that 20-40% of women over 35 years old have them and over 70% of women will develop fibroids during their lifetime. The good news is that fibroids only cause symptoms or problems for 30% of the women who have them. Stay tuned. Next I’ll discuss what Uterine Fibroids are.