Uterine artery embolization (alternatively called Uterine Fibroid Embolization) is a minimally invasive treatment for symptoms caused by uterine fibroids that avoids surgery. It is a highly successful treatment for women with heavy or painful periods, pressure symptoms on the bladder or bowels as a result of uterine fibroids.
Uterine Fibroids Treatment is widely performed alternative to uterine fibroid removal surgery, and a procedure that has been performed since the 1990s. Interventional radiologists perform these procedures as they have specialist skills in treating conditions through the blood vessels.
About a third to a half of women of childbearing age have fibroids. Not all the fibroids are diagnosed because they are too small. Fibroids can range in size from as small as a pea to as large as a small grapefruit.
Fibroids can cause:
Heavy or Irregular menstrual bleeding.
Heaviness/ Pain in the abdomen.
Pressure on the bladder causing frequent urination or the bowel leading to constipation/ bloating.
Infertility.
Pain during sexual intercourse.
Uterine fibroids are diagnosed by an ultrasound or MRI, which can also determine how many there are, how big they are and where they are located.
Management in patients who have associated symptoms consists of: