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Uterine Fibroid Embolization


What Is It
  • Common muscular growths of the uterus, found in approximately 75% of women, and typically noncancerous
  • Rarely harmful or problematic, but can occasionally lead to discomfort or troublesome symptoms
  • Linked to estrogen and progesterone hormone levels


    • Am I At Risk
    Major risk factors include:
  • Age - woman between age 30 through to menopause
  • Family history of uterine fibroids
  • African-American origin
  • Obesity
  • Eating habits - eating lots of red meat and ham


    • Symptoms
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding or painful periods
  • Feeling of fullness or enlargement of the lower abdomen
  • Frequent urination
  • Pain during sex
  • Lower back pain
  • Complications during pregnancy and labor, including a high risk of cesarean section
  • Reproductive problems (infertility)


    • How We Can Help

    Uterine Fibroid Embolization
  • Embolization offers a noninvasive efficient means for treating problematic uterine fibroids, with quicker recovery time, less bleeding, and a decreased risk of infertility or complications compared with traditional hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) or myomectomy (surgical fibroid removal) treatments
  • The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis at our office, eliminating the need for overnight hospital care
  • After consulting your gynecologist to confirm the presence of uterine fibroids, you may schedule an appointment with one of our physicians for a pre-operation consultation

    • Procedure
  • Upon arrival at the office, you will be escorted to our Angio Suite and prepared for the procedure
  • Personalized sedation and local anesthesia administered by a staff anesthesiologist can minimize any discomfort you might feel during the procedure
  • Through a small needle puncture site, doctors can access the uterine artery blood vessels supplying the fibroids, using X-ray guidance and a variety of catheters and wires.
  • Your doctor will then accurately inject an embolic agent (small synthetic particles) at the artery site to effectively cut off blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink over time
  • The puncture site will be sealed and a light dressing applied
  • Upon completion of the procedure, patients will be able to walk out of the office the same day

    • Post-procedure
  • You may experience pelvic cramps, mild nausea, and fever for several days after the procedure, with cramps being most severe during the first 24 hours
  • Your doctor will prescribe pain medication and meet with you for a follow-up appointment 1-2 weeks after the procedure
  • You should be able to return to normal activities within 1 week