Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that occur for a variety of reasons inside or outside your uterus. They can create significant uncomfortable symptoms, ranging from heavy bleeding to pelvic pain to infertility. The earlier you get treatment for fibroids, the better chance you have of avoiding uncomfortable consequences. At the Downtown Vein & Vascular Center in Brooklyn, one of the most common and effective treatments for fibroids is a uterine fibroid embolization. This process is easy to manage and leaves your uterus intact for future pregnancies. Call the expert in New York City for fibroids uterine artery embolization.
What Is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) — also known as a uterine artery embolization (UAE) — is a non-surgical treatment option for women with fibroid conditions. In this procedure, blood flow to the fibroids is blocked, forcing the fibroids to shrink. Your uterus begins to recover as the fibroids shrink and die off.
During UFE, your doctor inserts a catheter into a blood vessel. You’ll feel a bit of pressure, but nothing painful. Contrast medium is injected into the arteries of your uterus to help your doctor navigate the catheter to the correct place. Once a catheter is placed in a uterine artery, tiny particles are injected into it to cause near complete cessation of blood flow to the uterine fibroids, which causes them to gradually atrophy and disappear. When the doctor takes out your catheter, the fibroid embolization procedure is over. You return home the same day.
Uterine fibroid embolization is the right choice for many women with fibroids. Because it’s non-surgical, there are fewer risks involved with UFE than with some surgical fibroid treatment options, such as a myomectomy or hysterectomy. The Downtown Vein & Vascular Center offers uterine fibroid embolization treatment at its state-of-the-art facility, conveniently located in Downtown Brooklyn, serving all of Brooklyn and New York City.