Treatment for Uterine Fibroids in Corpus Christi & South Texas

As many as 70% of women will develop noncancerous tumors in the uterus known as fibroids during their reproductive years. Often these growths will cause no symptoms, but when they do they can include heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged periods, and pelvic pain.

If you’re suffering from symptomatic fibroids, VasCare can treat them with a minimally invasive outpatient procedure known as UFE. Performed by our resident fibroid specialist Dr. Lee, UFE is an alternative to a hysterectomy or myomectomy and keeps your uterus intact.

With our state-of-the-art facilities and radial access technique for faster recovery, we are the only outpatient UFE practitioners in Corpus Christi.

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Do You Have The Symptoms of Fibroids?

Pelvic Pain

Chronic uterine pain, even if it’s not severe, could be a sign of uterine fibroids. In addition to pain, you may experience it as feeling bloated or having lower back pain.

Heavy Periods

Abnormally heavy or long periods are one of the leading symptoms of uterine fibroids. Are you soaking through more than one pad or tampon every hour?

Painful Sex

Uterine fibroids can be the cause of painful intercourse. Pain can be around the entrance of the vagina or deeper inside depending on the location of the fibroids.

Check the warning signs: See more fibroids symptoms

UFE – Non-Surgical Approach to Treating Fibroids

Short for Uterine Fibroid Embolization, UFE is a minimally invasive procedure that does not damage your uterus. UFE works by blocking the blood flow (embolization) to the fibroids, which cuts off their oxygen and nutrients and forces them to shrink.

Three fibroids treatments compared: UFE vs Myomectomy vs Hysterectomy

In the procedure, the radiologist uses x-ray assistance to guide a thin catheter into the artery through a tiny incision. Once the embolizing agents are released, they float downstream to the area of the fibroids and block the small blood vessels that are feeding them.

UFE is also an indicated treatment for adenomyosis—when the tissue that lines the uterus (endometrium) grows into the muscular walls of the uterus (myometrium). This abnormal tissue leads to heavy menstrual bleeding during each menstrual cycle. When treating adenomyosis, UFE blocks blood flow to the abnormal tissue, causing it to shrink and die.

Prep, pre-procedure, treatment, and post-procedure: What Happens in a UFE Procedure

Transcript

Am I a Candidate for UFE?

Except for those who are currently pregnant, UFE is a good fit for most women with fibroids. However, the best way to learn if you’re a candidate for UFE is to schedule a consultation with us.

If you’ve been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, use our 6-question self-assessment tool to find out if you might be a good candidate for UFE.

The Benefits of UFE

Minimally invasive

Safe

Outpatient

Short downtime

Less scarring

What to Expect at Your Consultation

At your initial appointment, the doctor will…

Discuss your history and symptoms with you

Review imaging

Likely order an MRI to ensure there are no other problems and to aid in developing a treatment plan

We encourage patients to bring a spouse or other loved one to join the consultation. We do not do invasive gynecological exams.

Dr. Lee at VasCare – Interventional Radiologist and Leader in Treating Fibroids

As a fibroid clinic, VasCare is proud to have one of the foremost women’s health experts in the country at the helm in Dr. Llewellyn Lee, our Chief Medical Officer and Director of Interventional Radiology. Dr. Lee has over 20 years of experience as an interventional radiologist and has successfully treated thousands of fibroid patients with no major complications.

A nationally recognized leader in UFE, Dr. Lee has helped develop devices used in embolization and has even personally trained other physicians in the procedure.

Meet Dr. Lee

FAQs About Fibroids – Causes, Symptoms & More

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids, or leiomyomas, are growths of muscle and connective tissue in or on the uterus. They are typically noncancerous and in fact almost never develop into cancer. You may have a single fibroid or multiple ones in a cluster, ranging in size from a fraction of an inch each to 8 inches or more.

What causes fibroids?

Although the exact causes aren’t known, risk factors for fibroids include:

– a family history of fibroids
– vitamin D deficiency
– being in childbearing years but not having children
– early onset of menstruation
– late onset of menopause

What are the symptoms of fibroids?

Typical signs of fibroids include:

– backache or leg pain
– heavy/abnormal/overly lengthy menstrual bleeding
– frequent or difficult urination
– constipation
– pelvic pain/pressure
– enlarged abdomen
– pain during intercourse

Learn more about the symptoms of fibroids.

Do I need to treat fibroids?

In many instances of fibroids, no treatment is necessary and the fibroids will shrink after menopause. However, if they’re causing you pain or other problems, you should seek treatment.

How are fibroids diagnosed?

Pelvic exams often reveal the presence of fibroids, which are then confirmed with ultrasound or MRI. Special tests such as a hysteroscopy or hysterosonogram may also be used to identify fibroids if painful symptoms or infertility can’t be explained by typical methods.

Are fibroids a type of cancer?

No, fibroids are benign tumors. In only roughly 1 out of 1,000 patients will they become cancerous.

Can postmenopausal women get fibroids?

In rare cases, women can develop fibroids after experiencing menopause. It’s not yet understood why this happens, although links to hormone replacement therapy and obesity have been noted. Nevertheless, the symptoms of postmenopausal fibroids will be much milder or even non-existent compared to fibroids developed prior to menopause.

Is UFE a viable treatment for postmenopausal women with fibroids?

UFE may be appropriate in certain cases of symptomatic uterine fibroids after menopause.

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