Uterine Fibroid Treatment in Tampa – 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 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.
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
Whether or not a woman experiences symptoms from uterine fibroids depends on their location, size and number of fibroids.
In women who have symptoms, the most common signs and symptoms of uterine fibroids include:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Menstrual periods lasting more than a week
- Spotting between periods
- Pelvic pressure or pain
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Constipation
How Are Uterine Fibroids Diagnosed?
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:
- Medications
- Hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus – pregnancy is no longer an option)
- Myomectomy (surgery to remove fibroids – may affect fertility)
- Endometrial Ablation (surgery that destroys the lining of uterus – negatively affects fertility)
- Uterine Artery Embolization (blocks the blood supply to the fibroids making them shrink – fertility is maintained)
Here at The Vein and Vascular Institute, our board certified vascular surgeons perform uterine artery embolization (Uterine Fibroid Embolization – UFE) so that the uterine fibroids shrink on their own and a woman’s fertility is maintained.
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.
