Embolizations Albuquerque: What You Need to Know About Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that may lead to a condition called abnormal uterine bleeding. If you suffer from uterine fibroids, you’re not alone – about 50 percent of women will develop them at some point in their lives and about 25 percent of women will experience abnormal uterine bleeding caused by them by the time they’re menopausal. In fact, uterine fibroids are the most common non-cancerous growths in the uterus and can cause heavy or irregular bleeding and pain, both of which can be debilitating and interfere with your everyday life.
Is UFE Right For Me?
If you have fibroids, you’re not alone. An estimated 1 in 5 women of reproductive age is affected by fibroids. While some women choose surgical removal, approximately 100,000 annually, uterine artery embolization (UAE) can be a non-surgical alternative that’s just as effective. Read on to find out if uterine fibroid embolization is right for you.
So…What Is The Procedure Like Exactly?
The procedure for uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is done via a catheter, which enters through your groin area. Through that catheter, small microspheres are inserted into your uterine artery until they reach your uterus. The goal is to block blood flow and starve out those fibroids of oxygen and nutrition. The process can take up to three hours depending on how many fibroids you have, how large they are, and how deeply they’re positioned in your uterus.
Are There Any Side Effects To Be Concerned About?
Side effects are rare but include pain, nausea, fever, and vomiting. These typically resolve within a few days after treatment. Occasionally, a more serious complication may occur causing long-term problems such as infections and permanent injury to other organs such as the bowel or bladder. These complications are extremely rare but have happened in very few patients treated with uterine artery embolization (UAE) for fibroids in clinical trials.
I Have Some Questions That Aren’t Answered Here
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Just shoot us an email and we will be happy to answer! We can even write a post about it for our readers if there is enough demand for it. 🙂Embolizations Albuquerque
I’m Interested In This And Want To Learn More, Who Can I Speak With?
Contact Dr. James E. Smith by calling 505-300-8111 or clicking here. He is a board-certified gynecologist at Women’s OBGYN of New Mexico and can help you determine if uterine fibroid embolization is right for you.
Other Considerations Before Undergoing Treatment
The first thing that you need to do before making an appointment with a uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) specialist is to make an appointment with your doctor. While it’s true that many patients believe they know what’s causing their abnormal bleeding, there are other underlying medical conditions that may be contributing factors, such as endometriosis and polyps.
