Uterine fibroids are very common non-cancerous (benign) growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. They can range in size from very tiny (a quarter of an inch) to larger than a cantaloupe. Uterine fibroids are the most common tumors of the female genital tract. You might hear them referred to as "fibroids" or by several other names, including: leiomyoma, leiomyomata, myoma, and fibromyoma. Fibroid tumors of the uterus are very common, but for most women, they either do not cause symptoms or cause only minor symptoms.

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Symptoms

Most fibroids don’t cause symptoms—only 10 to 20 percent of women who have fibroids require uterine fibroid treatment. Depending on size, location and number of fibroids, they may cause:

• Heavy, prolonged menstrual periods and unusual monthly bleeding, sometimes with clots. This can lead to anemia.

• Abnormally enlarged abdomen

• Bladder pressure leading to a frequent urge to urinate

• Pelvic pain and pressure

 

Treatment

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is also known as uterine artery embolization (UAE).  Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive treatment for uterine fibroids that safely and effectively shrinks fibroids by blocking the blood flow to the fibroids. It involves the injection of an embolic material into the uterine arteries that supply blood flow to the fibroid. This disruption of blood effectively stops the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink over time This procedure is offered by Interventional Radiologists at our locations and provides an effective alternative to hysterectomy for fibroid treatment, preserving the uterus and requiring minimal downtime.