NON SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR UTERINE FIBROIDS IN BROWARD COUNTY
Uterine Fibroid Embolization Treatment
About Interventional Radiologists
What are uterine fibroids? Symptoms and treatment
Our Office
2283 SW 2nd St, Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Near Wells Fargo Bank, KFC, Golden Corral Buffet & Grill, Murphy USA and Burger King.
Meet Our Doctor
LINDA HUGHES MD
Linda Anne Hughes, MD is a board certified Vascular and Interventional Radiologist with more than twenty years experience. (Former Chief Resident at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School)
Lhughes@uniqueinterventional.com
Have you been diagnosed with Uterine Fibroids?
3 things you absolutely need to know about Uterine Fibroids Treatment
HYSTERECTOMY IS NOT THE ONLY OPTION
Almost all women that are diagnosed with fibroids are offered the very radical treatments such as a hysterectomy or myomyectomy. But few are aware of other minimally invasive treatment options. You are about to learn about Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), please read as much information as you can. This is a very important life decision.
DON'T HESITATE TO REQUEST A CONSULTATION
We recommend that all patients diagnosed with Fibroids, do as much research as possible about all the treatment options available. However, the information can be overwhelming. If while on this site, you have any questions, we recommend scheduling a consultation in order to answer all your questions and help you decide what the best treatment option is for you.
What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)?
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a safe and effective non-surgical procedure to treat fibroid tumors. The procedure is performed under conscious sedation through an IV in the patient’s arm. Studies have shown that nearly 90% of women who have a UFE procedure experience significant or complete resolution of their fibroid-related symptoms (Radiological Society of North America, Inc., RSNA)
5 Benefits of UFE over hysterectomy or myomyectomy
- Preservation of the uterus
- Effective for multiple fibroids and large fibroids
- Recurrence of treated fibroids is very rare
- Can be performed as an outpatient procedure
- Covered by most major insurance companies
HOW IS A UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION PERFORMED?
The physician makes a tiny nick in the skin either in the groin or the wrist (this will be discussed in further detail with you and your physician) and inserts a catheter into the artery. Using x-ray imaging, the physician guides the catheter to the uterine arteries feeding the fibroids. Once positioned, tiny embolic particles the size of grains of sand are injected into the uterine arteries. This blocks the blood flow to the fibroid tumors and causes them to shrink. As fibroids continue to shrink the symptoms resolve.
AVOID A HYSTERECTOMY
SAVE YOUR UTERUS
REASONS YOU SHOULD AVOID A HYSTERECTOMY
- The most obvious reason is losing the ability to have children.
- Many women that choose to have a hysterectomy are not aware of the minimally invasive options available such as a Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE).
- Decreased libido is a common outcome in post-hysterectomy patients, even those who retain their ovaries.
- Weight gain is also commonly reported by post-hysterectomy patients.
- In some cases, a hysterectomy can actually worsen urinary continence.
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR A UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION?
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ELIMINATE FIBROIDS WITHOUT SURGERY
Benign But Not Always Bearable
While uterine fibroids rarely pose a serious health risk, their effects can severely compromise a woman’s comfort and lifestyle. They can cause heavy menstrual bleeding and pain, including pressure on the bladder and bowel. Fibroids can also complicate pregnancies.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization
For years, gynecologists have relied on surgery to remove fibroids, sometimes performing hysterectomies as part of a fibroid removal surgery. Thankfully, the expert physicians at Unique Interventional Radiology can eliminate most women’s uterine fibroids with a safe, non-surgical procedure: uterine fibroid embolization, or UFE.
Our doctors use “conscious sedation” for patients who undergo UFE, so they remain awake. During the outpatient procedure, our interventional radiologists insert a catheter into a blood vessel in the patient’s thigh. Then, using x-ray imaging to see the catheter’s position, the physician targets the blood vessels that feed the fibroid. Next, he or she injects the vessels with a special substance that acts like glue to block – or embolize – the blood flow to the fibroid.
Without a source of blood, the fibroid shrinks and may even disappear. Once the fibroid is gone (or is much smaller than its original size), most patients no longer experience symptoms. In fact, 85 to 90 percent of women who undergo UFE report significant reduction in symptoms, sometimes even in a few days. And most women can return to normal activities in less than a week.
Request an appointment
Educating yourself is great, but every patient is different. Don’t hesitate to contact us and request an appointment.
ARE YOU READY FOR A CONSULTATION?
Every patient is different, we recommend you meet with a Doctor to discuss treatment options.
F.A.Q. About Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
REAL ANSWERS FROM DR. HUGHES
Dr.-Hughes
We have compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions for your education.
HOW IS A UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION PERFORMED?
Answered by:
– Dr.Hughes
HOW IS A UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION PERFORMED?
The physician makes a tiny nick in the skin either in the groin or the wrist (this will be discussed in further detail with you and your physician) and inserts a catheter into the artery. Using x-ray imaging, the physician guides the catheter to the uterine arteries feeding the fibroids. Once positioned, tiny embolic particles the size of grains of sand are injected into the uterine arteries. This blocks the blood flow to the fibroid tumors and causes them to shrink. As fibroids continue to shrink the symptoms resolve.
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME?
Answered by:
– Dr.Hughes
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME?
Immediately after the procedure
You will be monitored in the recovery room for 4 to 6 hours post procedure. Most patients experience pelvic cramping, which usually peaks during the first 2 – 6 hours after the procedure. At this point, the pain medication you received during the procedure will be wearing off and you will be given medication to continue to manage the pain. The pain you may experience is related to the lack of blood flow to the fibroids because the artery supplying the fibroid has been blocked. Some women report experiencing nausea as well.
After the first few hours, your symptoms can usually be managed at home. Because you have received sedating medications for the procedure and pain medication after the procedure, you will not be able to drive yourself home. When you leave, you will likely have only a small bandage over the nick in your groin or wrist.
The first 2 weeks
During your first full day at home, you should expect more, but milder, uterine cramping and fatigue. This will continue for the next 4-5 days. During the first week you should limit your physical activities, including work, to allow for a full recovery. By the second week of your recovery, you should be feeling more normal. Most women can return to regular activities in 8 – 14 days.
WHAT IS THE UFE EFFICACY?
Answered by:
– Dr.Hughes
What is the UFE Efficacy?
On average, 85-90 percent of women who have had the procedure experience significant or total relief of heavy bleeding, pain and/or bulk-related symptoms. The procedure is effective for multiple fibroids and large fibroids. Recurrence of treated fibroids is very rare. Short and mid-term data show UFE to be very effective with a very low rate of recurrence.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS ON FERTILITY?
Answered by:
– Dr.Hughes
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS ON FERTILITY?
There have been numerous reports of pregnancies following Uterine Fibroid Embolization, however, prospective studies are needed to determine the effects of UFE on the ability of a woman to have children. One study comparing the fertility of women who had UFE with those who had myomectomy showed similar numbers of successful pregnancies. However, other investigators have not yet confirmed this study.
Less than two percent of patients have entered menopause as a result of UFE. This is more likely to occur if the woman is in her mid-forties or older and is already nearing menopause
F.A.Q. About Uterine Fibroid
HOW ARE UTERINE FIBROIDS DIAGNOSED?
Fibroids are usually diagnosed during a gynecologic physical exam. Your physician will perform a pelvic exam to feel if your uterus has increased in size. Presence of fibroids is more commonly confirmed by ultrasound. Fibroids may also be confirmed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT scan). Adequate treatment depends on the size and localization of fibroids, as well as severity of the symptoms.
WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL SYMPTOMS?
- Prolonged, heavy menstruation often accompanied by clots, and bleeding in between monthly cycles. The excessive bleeding may result in anemia.
- Pelvic pain.
- Pressure or pelvic heaviness.
- Back or leg pain.
- Pain during intercourse.
- Pressure on the bladder and a frequent need to urinate.
- Pressure on the intestines, constipation and abdominal distention.
- Abnormal increase in the size of the abdomen.
WHO ARE THE MOST PRONE WOMEN TO HAVE UTERINE FIBROIDS?
WHO ARE THE MOST PRONE WOMEN TO HAVE UTERINE FIBROIDS?
Uterine fibroids are very common AND may be small enough not cause symptoms. However, in general, 20% to 40% of women over 35 years old have fibroids of a significant size. Afro-American women have a greater risk (50%) for fibroids of significant size.
