What are the symptoms of fibroids?

Most women who have uterine fibroids do not experience symptoms, and, as a result, are not even aware they have them. Women who do have symptoms typically experience one or more of the following: • Heavy menstrual periods (7 days or longer) • Heavy bleeding during periods • Pelvic bloating or pain • Constipation • Pain during sexual intercourse • Bladder pressure and frequent urination

Uterine Fibroids

What are uterine fibroids?

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths within or around the uterus. Many women will not be aware they have fibroids and will not experience any symptoms. But for some, the symptoms can be a nightmare – intense pelvic pain and cramping, longer-than-usual-periods, heavy menstrual bleeding and more.

Up to 40% of women over 35 have uterine fibroids. African-American women are at a higher risk for developing them.

Diagnosing uterine fibroids

Because there are other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, uterine fibroids will need to be formally diagnosed. This can be done with a pelvic examination, or with diagnostic imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI.

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Treatment options for uterine fibroids at Memphis Vascular Center

If symptoms are mild, fibroids may be controlled with medication and/or hormone treatment. While these may help to temporarily alleviate symptoms, the fibroids may continue to grow. Your OB/GYN may want to monitor their growth during regular examinations.

Myomectomy is a surgery to remove fibroids, and is generally recommended for women who wish to become pregnant at some point in the future. While this can be effective, the fibroids will often return within a couple of years. Hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus) is also recommended by some doctors. However, this may not be necessary and may lead to other health risks or early menopause.

A less invasive and effective approach for treating fibroids has emerged as a preferred option for most women with fibroids. Called uterine fibroid embolization or UFE, this FDA-approved procedure does not require surgery, is covered by insurance and offers a shorter recovery and faster return to normal activities.

How is UFE performed?

During the UFE procedure, an interventional radiologist uses X-ray imaging to guide a catheter through an artery in the groin to the uterine artery which feeds the fibroids. Tiny beads called “microspheres” are injected into the artery, where they become lodged in the smaller blood vessels surrounding the fibroids. This blocks the flow of blood, causing the fibroids to shrink and the symptoms to gradually disappear. UFE is clinically shown to improve or eliminate symptoms for more than 93% of women who have the procedure, and the majority continue to experience symptom relief for many years afterwards.

Frequently Asked Questions for UFE

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus. They range in size from microscopic to larger than a cantaloupe and weighing more than ten pounds. Although the causes are not fully understood, they are very common and—in most cases—not dangerous or life-threatening. However, they can cause pain and discomfort, heavy menstrual bleeding, and they can interfere with pregnancy. In addition, they can negatively affect your quality of life. African American women, women who have had children, women who begin menstruation early, and women with a family history of fibroids are more likely to develop them.

Most women who have uterine fibroids do not experience symptoms, and, as a result, are not even aware they have them. Women who do have symptoms typically experience one or more of the following:

Heavy menstrual periods (7 days or longer)
Heavy bleeding during periods
Pelvic bloating or pain
Constipation
Pain during sexual intercourse
Bladder pressure and frequent urination

There are many different ways to treat fibroids. For some, medication may be prescribed. Many are treated with hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) or myomectomy (surgical removal of the fibroids from within the uterus). Endometrial ablation is a less invasive treatment that can reduce menstruation symptoms but does not remove the fibroids. A minimally invasive procedure called uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) has become very popular among those suffering from fibroids and is recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

UFE is performed by a specially trained doctor known as an interventional radiologist. The doctor uses imaging to guide the placement of a catheter through the skin and into the arteries supplying blood to the fibroids. The arteries are then embolized or “blocked” to prevent the flow of blood into the fibroids, causing them to shrink and symptoms to be reduced or disappear. UFE is performed under “twilight” sedation and is much less invasive than open surgery.

Studies show more than 90% of women who have had the UFE procedure experience significant or total relief of heavy bleeding, pain, and other symptoms. The procedure is also effective for multiple fibroids. Recurrence of fibroids treated with UFE is very rare.

It is possible to become pregnant after UFE. In fact, UFE can be fertility-restoring for some women who were not able to become pregnant because of their fibroids. There is a small risk of ovarian failure of 1-3% in women under 40 years of age.

In most cases the procedure is covered by private insurance. We are happy to assist you if you have insurance questions or would like to know if your specific insurance covers the procedure.

UFE is considered to be very safe; there are, however, some risks, as with any medical procedure. Immediately following the procedure, you may experience moderate to severe pain and cramping, nausea, and/or fever. Rare but important risks may include infection and premature menopause.

UFE is an excellent option for women with symptomatic fibroids and who wish to avoid surgery and retain their uterus.

UFE may not be recommended for women with an active pelvic infection, women with endometrial cancer, women with chronic kidney disease, or women who have fibroids in certain locations in or around the uterus.

Contact us at 901-683-1890 for more information. Or schedule an appointment online HERE.

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