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What are Fibroids?

Fibroids are benign tumors that develop in the wall of the uterus. Because of their size and location, fibroids often cause symptoms such as pain and heavy bleeding. Fibroids generally improve after menopause when the circulatory level of estrogen (female hormone) in the blood decreases.

Typical Signs and Symptoms

What is Uterine
Fibroid Embolization? (UFE)

Uterine fibroid embolization is a minimally invasive procedure in which an interventional radiologist makes a tiny incision (less than 1/4 of an inch) in the groin and passes a small catheter into the femoral artery and ultimately into the uterine artery. Once the catheter reaches the uterine artery, the interventional radiologist slowly injects tiny particles (the size of tiny grains of sand) into the artery which supplies blood to the fibroid and ultimately causes the fibroid tumor to shrink.

This procedure is usually performed under sedation and local anesthesia. Patients usually require a hospital stay of one night after the procedure is completed. Most women will resume light activities within a few days and return to normal activities within one week.