Will my symptoms completely disappear after UFE?

After the procedure, the fibroid(s) will shrink over a three to six month period.
Although the fibroid(s) never completely go away, they usually shrink to a size that relieves many of the symptoms that you are experiencing. According to the Society of Interventional Radiology, UFE is succeesful in close to 90 % of women who are experiencing significant symptoms due to their fibroids. The vast majority of women who undergo UFE experience a
dramatic decrease in bleeding right away. Those women who are mostly experiencing pelvic pain and pressure from large fibroids will see their symptoms steadily improve in the first few months after the procedure as the fibroids shrink.

What are the risks of UFE?

UFE is safer than hysterectomy and other surgical procedures, however there are risks. There is a less than 1 % risk of serious uterine injury or infection which may require a woman to undergo hysterectomy. Rarely, women may pass a fibroid down into the cervix requiring removal of the dead fibroid using a small device called a hysteroscope.

Finally, in a small percentage of women, UFE may accelerate the onset of menopause, particularly in women over the age of 45.

What side effects might I expect from UFE ?

Following the procedure, most women experience moderate to severe pain and cramping during the first several hours after having the procedure, and
some experience nausea and fever as well. All of these can be successfully controlled with appropriate intravenous narcotics and other pain medications. It is common to have low grade fever during the first few days after the procedure.

Is UFE an experimental procedure?

Uterine artery embolization has been performed for over twenty years to treat emergency bleeding. Uterine fibroid embolization as a treatment for fibroids has been performed on almost 20,000 patients in the USA. UFE is now a commonly performed procedure throughout the United States and is no longer considered experimental. The Interventional Radiologists at the Fibroid Center have been performing UFE since 1998.

What type of anesthesia will I receive during the procedure ?

UFE is performed under conscious sedation. Women are given a mild sedative and narcotic during the procedure. A local anesthetic is used at the top of the leg where the small catheter is inserted. No general anesthesia is used or needed.

What tests do I need to have before I can undergo UFE?

All patients must have a thorough gynecologic examination to ensure that
fibroids are indeed the cause of their symptoms. In addition, all patients
will undergo an MRI examination in order to confirm that they are a candidate
for UFE. On the morning of the procedure, basic laboratory tests will be drawn.

Is it possible for a fibroid to be too large to undergo UFE ?

There is no absolute size criteria for UFE. Women with very large fibroids are candidates for the procedure. In our experience, women with very large fibroids usually respond very well to UFE.

How soon after the procedure can I have sex?

Patients may generally resume normal activities in about a week.

How quickly can I can go back to work?

Because the procedure is less invasive than surgery, recovery time is much shorter than hysterectomy or myomectomy. Most women are able to resume normal activities and return to work in approximately 4-5 days.

Will I experience any hormonal changes after the procedure?

Because UFE usually does not remove or disturb the ovaries, most women
should not have the hormonal changes that are sometimes seen with hysterectomy. However, women near the age of menopause, may have an increased risk of developing menopause

Will my insurance company cover UFE ?

You will need to check with your insurance company in order to determine whether they will cover UFE. Our staff will assist you in this. At present, the majority of major insurance carriers do cover and pay for UFE.

My gynecologist seems opposed to my even considering embolization, what should I do?

We would be happy to discuss UFE with your gynecologist and answer any concerns he or she may have. Many gynecologists throughout the U.S. now recognize UFE as a treatment option in patients with uterine fibroids. Our preference is to work with your gynecologist to arrive at the best treatment decision for you.