3 Telltale Symptoms of Intramural Fibroids
Have you noticed changes in your periods or other unexplained symptoms? You could be experiencing symptoms of intramural fibroids. Here’s what you need to know and how our innovative treatments can help.
The Many Benefits of Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Did you know that more than 35 million American women struggle with the unfortunate symptoms of uterine fibroids? Now you can be fibroid free with safe and effective uterine fibroid embolization!
At Alate Health in Houston, Texas, board-certified radiologist Dr. Andrew Doe specializes in eliminating uterine fibroids with minimally invasive uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). Take a moment to learn more about the many benefits of uterine fibroid embolization and whether it’s the right treatment option for you!
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are growths of fibrous tissue that form benign tumors in your uterus. They come in all sizes, from the size of a small seed to bigger than a grapefruit. Fibroids typically grow inside your uterine cavity or within the uterine wall, but they grow outside the uterus in some cases.
Although the word “tumor” may make you worry about cancer, less than one in 1000 fibroids are cancerous. Being diagnosed with uterine fibroids doesn’t increase your risk of developing uterine cancer or any other form of cancer.
Even though they aren’t cancerous, however, uterine fibroids can cause many uncomfortable and problematic symptoms. The severity of your symptoms may vary based on the size and number of fibroids you have and where they’re located inside your body.
Some of the most common and troublesome symptoms of uterine fibroids include:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding (with clots)
- Bleeding or spotting between periods
- Lower back pain
- Increased menstrual cramping
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Periods that last longer than a week
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Trouble emptying your bladder fully
- Constipation
It’s important to note that some women with fibroids are asymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms of fibroids at all. In these cases, your provider typically recommends waiting before treatment.
What is uterine fibroid embolization?
At Alate Health, we specialize in minimally-invasive uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). UFE is a safe and effective way to shrink uterine fibroids and give you much-needed relief from the symptoms they bring.
Fibroids continue to grow using a supply of blood from the uterine arteries. UFE reduces or eliminates the blood supply to uterine fibroids, and radiology expert Dr. Doe uses imaging technology to ensure the right blood vessels are targeted.
Your provider makes a tiny incision in your groin, then inserts a very small catheter into the blood vessel that delivers blood to the fibroids. Tiny particles called embolic agents are then sent into the uterine arteries to block blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink in size and die.
The entire UFE procedure usually takes about 90 minutes or less, and it is typically conducted at Alate Health’s outpatient facility. Complications are rare but include bleeding at the site incision, infection, and early menopause for women over 40.
What are the benefits of UFE?
The most significant benefit of UFE is that it works! Research indicates that UFE is over 85% effective in reducing the negative symptoms associated with uterine fibroids. At Alate Health, over 90% of our patients experience a dramatic improvement in their quality of life and relief from symptoms.
The many benefits of uterine fibroid embolization include:
- FDA-approved treatment
- No scarring
- Safer than traditional surgery
- Minimally invasive
- No hospital stay required
- Ability to return to work and daily routine in one week
- Ability to maintain your uterus
- Few complications or risks
- Decreases heavy menstrual bleeding
- Reduces uterine and menstrual pain
- Eliminates or decreases other fibroid symptoms
How can I get started with UFE?
To get started with UFE and determine if it’s the right treatment option for you, it’s vital to set up a consultation at Alate Health in Houston, Texas. To ensure you’re a good candidate for UFE, Dr. Doe reviews your symptoms, medical history, and orders imaging studies to ascertain the number and size of the fibroids you have.
Since UFE is the most effective in small to moderate fibroids, it may not be the right option if your fibroids are large. If you aren’t looking to become pregnant and want a safe and effective alternative to a hysterectomy, UFE could be the right treatment option.
If you’re ready to learn more about the many benefits of UFE and how it can help you, contact the specialists at Alate Health or schedule a consultation by calling 713-893-0650 today!
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