Uterine Fibroid Embolization Is A Minimally-Invasive, Outpatient Procedure That Allows Women To Maintain Their Fertility
In the past, women who suffered from uterine fibroids were only presented with aggressive surgical treatments that would negatively affect their fertility such as a hysterectomy or an endometrial ablation.
However, now at The Vein and Vascular Institute, our Tampa board certified vascular surgeons offer a minimally-invasive treatment for uterine fibroids called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE).
UFE is performed on an outpatient basis, leaves no visible scarring and allows women to maintain their fertility.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization Patient Testimonial
Patient Jessica Shares Her Story About How Dr. Jones Cured Her Uterine Fibroids While Allowing Her To Maintain Her Fertility
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that can develop during a woman’s childbearing years. Fortunately, uterine fibroids rarely develop into cancer.
It is very common for women to have uterine fibroids. In the majority of cases they go unnoticed and do not cause any symptoms. However, in some cases women who have uterine fibroids can experience debilitating and persistent symptoms.
Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids
UTERINE FIBROIDS SYMPTOMS
Women who have developed uterine fibroids may or not experience symptoms.
Whether or not a woman experiences symptoms from uterine fibroids depends on the location, size and number of fibroids present.
When women do experience symptoms, the pelvic discomfort and continuous bleeding can become disruptive to their everyday lives.
How Are Uterine Fibroids Diagnosed?
NATIONALLY ACCREDITED VASCULAR LABORATORY
Uterine fibroids are often discovered during a gynecological pelvic exam. An ultrasound, MRI or CT scan will also confirm the presence, location and number of fibroids.
A hysteroscopy will also help in the diagnosis of uterine fibroids. Hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look inside your uterus. Hysteroscopy is done using a hysteroscope, a thin, lighted tube that is inserted into the vagina to examine the cervix and inside of the uterus.
When To Seek Treatment For Uterine Fibroids
In general uterine fibroids can go untreated without any harm to a woman other than affecting her fertility. Uterine fibroids can interfere with a woman’s fertility.
Fibroids can create problems for the fertilized egg attaching to the lining of the uterus. In addition, some fibroids can grow outside the uterus (submucoscal fibroids), changing the shape of the uterus and making it harder to get pregnant.
If uterine fibroids are preventing a woman from conceiving, she may decide to seek treatment.
If a woman’s symptoms have become debilitating and her uterine fibroids are causing her persistent pelvic pain and pressure, she may decide to seek treatment to get relief from her symptoms.
Uterine Fibroid Treatment Options
The treatment options for uterine fibroids include:
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
During UFE, small particles are injected into the arterial supply of the fibroids, cutting off the blood supply to the fibroids and causing them to shrink on their own.
Eventually the fibroids are reabsorbed into the surrounding tissues so physical removal is not needed.
The uterine fibroid embolization procedure is performed on an outpatient basis right in our vascular facility’s outpatient endovascular suite. The procedure is minimally invasive and leaves no visible scarring.
Patients are able to enjoy quick recovery time and maintain their fertility as well.
If you are suffering from uterine fibroids and would like to schedule a consultation with one of our board certified vascular surgeons, give us a call today at (813) 377-2773.
