All That You Want Know About Uterine Artery Embolization
1. All That You Want Know About Uterine
Artery Embolization
I'm going to provide you answers to some of the common
questions pertaining to uterine artery embolization, a non
invasive technique used to get rid of fibroids. Read this
article to know all about this procedure of getting rid of
fibroid tumors in uterus.
Uterine Artery Embolization is a non-invasive and non-
surgical procedure which helps to shrink fibroids. The
procedure is carried out under local anesthesia which
enables the patient to recover almost immediately. In fact
most women are able to return to work within a week of
this method of uterine fibroid treatment. In this article you
will find answers to some basic questions related to the
entire procedure of Uterine Artery Embolization.
What does the Procedure involve?
As a first step your medical history and physical condition
will be reviewed. Next complete pelvic imaging with the
help of ultrasound or MRI will be carried out. This is done
to ascertain the size of the uterus and check whether any
other abnormalities exist. Finally to prepare for
embolization, the inside and outside of the pelvis will be
evaluated with the help of endoscopic methods.
Post embolization, the first follow up is normally done after
a week. Subsequently to confirm whether the uterine
2. fibroid treatment has been successful or not you will be
called for check ups at regular intervals.
What are the risks of undergoing uterine artery
embolization to get rid of fibroid tumors in uterus?
o Bleeding from the catheter entry site
o Adverse reaction to medicines
o Injury to the blood vessels
o Accidental embolization of any other tissue
It would be worthwhile to add here that the risk of drastic
complications arising out of this procedure is lower than
0.5%.
How does it impact the reproductive function?
Presence of fibroids itself negatively impacts the chances of
a woman getting pregnant. Determining whether
embolization specifically is also responsible for failure of
conception is difficult. Although a lot of research has been
done on this subject, there is nothing conclusive to prove
that embolization can act as a hindrance in conception.
How cost effective is this uterine fibroid treatment method?
The overall cost of undergoing a uterine artery
embolization is significantly lower than hysterectomy and
moderately less than hysteroscopic and laparoscopic
myomectomy. If you take into account the potential loss
which you will incur as a result of the 6 week recovery
period required for hysterectomy, the cost difference will
mount further.
3. Is Uterine artery embolization a permanent cure for
fibroids?
In case of women approaching menopause this type of
uterine fibroid treatment normally gives permanent relief.
This is because of reduction in estrogen production which
happen post menopause after which the fibroid tumors in
uterus automatically stop growing in most women.