What is UFE?

What is UFE and who can have this procedure? Hear all about this minimally invasive fibroid treatment option from our experts in Dallas.

What are Fibroids?

Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that form in or on the uterus. They're composed of muscular uterine tissue. And many women experience disruptive fibroid symptoms such as long periods, heavy bleeding, concerns with fertility and more.

Options for Treating Fibroids

There are several different approaches to treating fibroids. Surgical options include a myomectomy (surgically removing individual fibroids) or hysterectomy (surgically removing the uterus).

With a myomectomy, you will require anesthesia, a stay in the hospital and an extended period of recovery, even if the procedure is performed laparoscopically. And, since a hysterectomy is an open surgery, you will also have to stay in the hospital, receive general anesthesia, and heal from a surgical incision during the 4 to 6-week recovery period. That involves missing many work days and dealing with significant post-operative pain. So, for that reason, many women seek less invasive options.

What is UFE? A Minimally Invasive Fibroid Treatment

Here in our Dallas fibroid clinic, we perform UFE, also known as uterine artery embolization or UAE.) This minimally invasive, outpatient procedure involves inserting a small catheter to block the arteries supplying your fibroids via the injection of small particles. Unfortunately, many women aren’t aware of this option. In a recent Harris Poll for the Society of Interventional Radiology even revealed the shocking extent of the problem: While 53% of women with fibroid were told that hysterectomy is a treatment option, only 17% were told about uterine fibroid embolization.

Now, that's a shame, because while hysterectomy is an invasive procedure with many consequences, women who choose UFE see their fibroids get smaller, and their symptoms improve or resolve. Even better? The recovery period and downtime for UFE are both much shorter than what you'll face with treatment options.

The procedure itself is also fairly fast. If your treatment begins at 8am, you will likely be able to go home by 2pm that day, returning to work within 7 to 10 days of your procedure. Plus, despite the less invasive nature of the procedure, research reveals that it provides equal or superior symptom relief as compared to myomectomy.

Final Thoughts: What is UFE?

While uterine fibroid embolization has been in use for over 40 years, it has been perfected in the last twenty years. Today, that means the procedure is less invasive, and is performed in a way that allows patients to treat their fibroids on an outpatient basis, going home on the same day as their procedure.

Wondering if you're a good candidate for UFE You can request a consultation with our team of experts. We are happy to answer all your questions, including "What is UFE?" and "is this my best treatment option?"