Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Uterine fibroid embolization can be a life-changing procedure for women who struggle with heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and other effects of uterine fibroids. At Apex Endovascular in Fort Collins, Colorado, board-certified vascular specialist Shawn Ahmed, MD, PhD, performs uterine fibroid embolization in his state-of-the-art outpatient facility. Ninety percent of patients experience significant or complete pain relief, often before their next menstrual cycle. Book your appointment online or call the office to learn more today.

What is uterine fibroid embolization?

Uterine fibroid embolization is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedure to treat uterine fibroids, noncancerous growths that develop on or in the uterus.

This procedure targets the arteries that supply blood to the fibroids. It involves injecting tiny beads that close off the fibroid blood supply, causing the fibroids to shrink and die.

Who might need uterine fibroid embolization?

While uterine fibroids often create no symptoms, 25-50% of women experience disruptive symptoms like:

• Heavy periods
• Long-lasting periods
• Severe pelvic pain
• Increased urinary frequency
• Infertility
• Anemia

If you have symptomatic fibroids and want to avoid surgery, you could be a candidate for uterine fibroid embolization.

What can I expect after uterine fibroid embolization?

Uterine fibroid embolization offers impressive results, often very quickly, with 9 in 10 women experiencing dramatic symptom relief before their next menstrual cycle. Dr. Ahmed provides detailed information about your recovery, typically taking a week or two.

How does uterine fibroid embolization compare with other fibroid treatments?

There are two other approaches to uterine fibroids:

Medication

The initial response to uterine fibroids is often medication. Various medications can relieve symptoms like pelvic pain and lighten your periods. But you have to continue taking them for continued relief.

There are also gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, medications that shrink fibroids — but they put you into temporary menopause. GnRH agonists can have severe side effects and aren’t safe for long-term use.

Surgery

Surgery involving either fibroid removal (myomectomy) or uterus removal (hysterectomy) is another way to eliminate fibroids. But the surgery is highly invasive, requires general anesthesia, and ends your fertility for good in the case of a hysterectomy.

Uterine fibroid embolization is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure done in the comfortable Apex Endovascular facility. It requires twilight sedation instead of a general anesthetic, and you can go home that day.

Uterine fibroid embolization has a lower complication rate than surgery and requires a shorter recovery than a hysterectomy or myomectomy. Most women can still give birth after uterine fibroid embolization. Unlike medication, uterine fibroid embolization is a long-term solution.

Uterine fibroid embolization is the most cutting-edge minimally invasive solution for fibroids that cause disruptive symptoms.

Call Apex Endovascular now or book your appointment using the online scheduling feature to learn more about how uterine fibroid embolization can help you.