1 in 4 women gets uterine fibroids; most women are over 35 when they are diagnosed. African-American women are at greater risk for developing uterine fibroids than Caucasian women. Symptoms for uterine fibroids include heavy or irregular periods and painful cramps, and frequent urination. Other signs are pain during intercourse, and pressure or pain in the abdomen and lower back. UFE is a revolutionary alternative to hysterectomy for women with uterine fibroids. Data from the Society of Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology Web site.

"Is this surgery?" "Will I need to undergo general anesthesia?" "How painful is the procedure?" "What are the risks and side effects?" "How long will it take to recover?" "How successful is the procedure?" "Can I have children after having UFE?"

What It Is
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a new way to treat uterine fibroids (or “leiomyomata” in medical terminology). These are solid non-cancerous growths that can appear in and around the uterus.

An interventional radiologist, who inserts a catheter into your artery and injects tiny polyvinyl particles that block the blood flow to the fibroid and essentially kill it, performs this minimally invasive procedure. After the procedure, the fibroid shrinks and may ultimately be absorbed by your body. (In about 6-8 months.)

How It's Performed
UFE is performed while you are under conscious sedation. The physician inserts a catheter (skinny plastic tube) into your femoral artery (a main artery in the groin), through a tiny nick in your skin. The catheter is guided through the artery and toward the uterus while the physician watches it using an x-ray machine or fluoroscope.

Once the catheter is placed into the uterine artery, the physician injects tiny gelatin sponge particles, about the size of grains of sand, into the artery supplying blood to the fibroid. Doing this cuts off the fibroid's blood supply and causes it to shrink.

Learn More
More information about uterine fibroids can be found at the following sites:

Society for Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology
Uterine Fibroid Section
http://www.scvir.org/
patient/pci/index.htm

UCLA Medical Group
Fibroid Treatment Collective
www.fibroid.org

Brigham & Women's Center
for Uterine Fibroids
www.fibroids.net

NYUnited Hospital Medical Center
http://www.uhmc.com/fibroid.htm

drkoop's Women's Health
http://www.drkoop.com/
conditions/fibroids/index.asp

ThriveOnline
http://www.thriveonline.com/
health/menopause/seek/info.fibroids.html

WebMD
http://www.my.webmd.com/
condition_center/fib