Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow on or within the lining of the uterus.

They can range in size from 1 mm to more than 20 cm (8 inches) in diameter. Up to 40% of women over age 35 may have fibroids. African-American women are at a 3X higher risk for developing them than women of other ethnicities.

Fibroids may cause in pelvic pain or discomfort, urinary incontinence, frequent urination and heavy menstrual bleeding. The location and size of uterine fibroids can affect the severity of these symptoms and impact your quality of life. Because fibroids are hormonally sensitive, the symptoms may be cyclical. 

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a safe and minimally-invasive procedure to treat uterine fibroids, and for many women can be an alternative to hysterectomy or myomectomy surgery. During the procedure, the interventional radiologist uses imaging to guide a small catheter through the body to the site of the blood vessel feeding the fibroids. The vessel is then blocked, which causes the fibroids to shrink—effectively reducing the pain and other symptoms they are causing. UFE is performed in less than an hour, requires only a small nick in the skin, and patients can return home within 24 hours.