Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a 1-hour minimally-invasive procedure that has been proven to effectively relieve the symptoms of uterine fibroids in 85%-95% of symptomatic women. It has been shown to be extremely safe, with complications arising in only 1% of women.
Why Does UFE Relieve Symptoms?
Fibroids are not dangerous or painful in and of themselves, but they can be bulky and can cause problems simply by getting in the way of the body's natural functioning. For instance, a large fibroid pushing on the colon can cause constipation, or a fibroid pressing on the spinal column can cause leg or back pain. Therefore, the simplest way to relieve the symptoms is to reduce the mass of the fibroid or fibroids. Once the fibroids are smaller, they no longer interfere. UFE relieves uncomfortable fibroid symptoms by shrinking the fibroids.
Uterine fibroids are nourished with blood from the uterine arteries. UFE works by embolizing (blocking) the blood vessels that feed the fibroids to cut off that blood supply. This causes the fibroids to shrink and eventually die. The normal flesh of the uterus will continue receiving blood from other blood vessels, so healthy tissue remains healthy.
How Is It Done?
The blood vessels are blocked by tiny particles about the size of a grain of sand. These particles are made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and have been used for embolization in the human body for over 20 years. The interventional radiologist uses a tiny tube to deliver the particles to the vessels that feed the fibroids. The tube enters your blood femoral artery at your groin and travels to the proper location in the uterine artery.
The procedure takes about an hour and is done in a hospital so that you can be monitored overnight. As the fibroids are deprive of blood and begin shrinking, you may experience cramping and abdominal pain, so pain medication will be delivered intervenously as needed to keep you comfortable. You'll go home the next day, and will continue to experience some cramping for a few days, but you can control it with over-the-counter medication. You'll be able to return to normal activities such as work in about 7-10 days.
Images courtesy of WomensHealth.gov.