Uterine Fibroid Treatment (UFE)

Uterine Fibroid Treatment by VasCare | UFE

UFE Relief Beyond Surgery

VasCare’s Minimally Invasive Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) Treatment for Symptomatic Fibroids.

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

Fibroid Treatment

Are You a Candidate? Take the Assessment.

What are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids, predominantly non-cancerous growths within the uterus, can lead to a variety of painful symptoms, such as abdominal pain, excessive menstrual bleeding, bloating, and even fertility issues. Non-reproductive symptoms such as frequent urination and constipation are also common due to mass effect. A condition that occurs when the fibroids grow large enough to put pressure on nearby organs such as the bladder and rectum. These symptoms can hinder your daily activities, underscoring the importance of finding a dependable and effective treatment solution.

Transcript
By age 50, as many as 4 out of 5 women will develop noncancerous tumors in or around the uterus known as uterine fibroids. While it’s not known what causes fibroids, they’re most likely to occur in women in their mid-to-late reproductive years, women with obesity or high blood pressure, women with a family history of fibroids, and African American women. Fortunately, fibroids will create no symptoms for most women, who may never even realize they have them and who never need to seek treatment. But for others, symptoms can be severe and a major disruption to daily life. They include abnormally heavy periods, pelvic and abdominal pain, mild discomfort to severe pain during intercourse, frequent urination, early delivery during pregnancy, and more. There are several ways to treat fibroids, including lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery. At VasCare, we offer uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that may preserve your fertility and creates little to no scarring. Call or visit us today to arrange a consultation.

Types of Fibroids

Fibroids are classified based on their location on the uterus, and it’s common for women to have multiple types at once, complicating diagnosis and treatment. The main types include:

Subserosal Fibroids

Grow under the outer uterine layer, often causing pelvic pain as they enlarge.

Submucosal Fibroids

Develop beneath the uterus’s inner lining, affecting blood vessels and potentially leading to fertility issues, abnormal bleeding, and anemia.

Intramural Fibroids

The most common type is growing within the uterine wall and potentially leading to a bloated uterus, discomfort, and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Pedunculated Fibroids

Grow on a stalk outside or inside the uterus, causing pain and pressure if they twist.

What are the Symptoms of Fibroids? How Can I Tell If I Have Fibroids?

Many individuals with uterine fibroids may not realize they have them due to minimal or non-existent symptoms. Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize potential signs, which include:

Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

One of the hallmark symptoms of uterine fibroids, particularly intramural and submucosal types, is heavy menstrual bleeding. This may involve periods that extend beyond a week, the necessity of using both tampons and pads simultaneously, and frequent changes of sanitary products every two hours.

Pelvic Pain and Pressure

As fibroids grow, they may cause the uterus to enlarge and exert additional pressure on pelvic organs, resulting in pain or a sense of heaviness in the pelvis. Large fibroids can compress nearby organs and structures, causing discomfort and pressure sensations.

Urinary Issues

The proximity of the uterus to the bladder means that an enlarged uterus can press against the bladder, leading to frequent urination and urinary incontinence or the unintended release of urine.

Digestive Discomfort

Similarly, the enlargement of the uterus can impact the colon and intestines, potentially causing bloating, a sensation of fullness before meals are completed, and constipation due to the pressure on the digestive tract.

UFE Benefits & Procedures

UFE vs Hysterectomy vs Myomectomy

What Is a UFE?

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a method of treating fibroids by depriving them of nutrients by cutting off their blood supply. This is done in an outpatient procedure via a catheter inserted through a blood vessel guided by X-ray, where it releases embolizing agents to inhibit blood flow to the fibroids. The fibroids then begin to shrink over the ensuing weeks and months after the treatment. The uterus’ blood supply is left unimpeded and the uterus itself is preserved. UFE is a less invasive and safer treatment option in women than a myomectomy.

What Is a Hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is surgical removal of all or part of the uterus. Fibroids are a common reason for hysterectomy recommendations, although uterine prolapse, cancer, and chronic pelvic pain are other conditions for which doctors use hysterectomy as a treatment. Hysterectomy for fibroids may be either partial (supracervical), in which just the upper part of the uterus is removed but the cervix is left in place, or total, in which both are fully removed. The fallopian tubes and ovaries are sometimes removed, as well.

What Is a Myomectomy?

A myomectomy is a surgery specifically designed to remove uterine fibroids. A myomectomy can be a major surgery that can require hospitalization. There are three types of myomectomies: abdominal or “open,” laparoscopic or hysteroscopic. With any surgery, there is a higher risk of complications, such as excessive blood loss, development of blood clots, infection, and complications with pregnancy after the procedure. Myomectomy requires 2 – 6 weeks to recover, and have a higher incidence of regrowth of fibroids.

Understanding UFE Procedure

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure aimed at alleviating the symptoms of fibroids in the uterus. This innovative treatment involves making a tiny incision in the wrist or thigh to insert a catheter into the blood vessels feeding the fibroids. Tiny particles are then released to block these vessels, reducing the fibroids’ size and relieving symptoms.

UFE is an efficient alternative to traditional surgeries like hysterectomy, offering benefits such as preserving the uterus, requiring only mild sedation, and ensuring a quick recovery within 1-2 weeks.

Benefits of a UFE Procedure

Preserve Your Uterus

UFE maintains the integrity of the uterine tissue, potentially preserving fertility and offering an alternative to fibroid removal surgeries.

Minimally Invasive

This procedure is executed through a pin-sized incision, ensuring a minimally invasive approach and minimizing recovery time.

Short Recovery Time

Most patients fully recover within 1-2 weeks after the procedure, negating the need for an extended hospital stay.

Efficient Treatment

Our approach typically addresses all of a patient’s fibroids in one to two sessions, streamlining the home recovery process.

Low Complication Rate

Employing mild sedation, UFE circumvents the risks associated with general anesthesia, offering a safer alternative with a reduced risk of major bleeding or infection compared to traditional fibroid treatments.

Meet Our Experienced UFE Specialists

Dr. Llewellyn Lee – Board-certified Vascular & Interventional Radiologist

Corpus Christi, Texas
In his more than two decades practicing medicine, Dr. Llewellyn Lee has become an authority on vascular and interventional treatments with thousands of successful procedures performed.

Dr. Jennifer Mike-Mayer – Board-certified Vascular Surgeon

Corpus Christi, Texas
With expertise in vascular surgery and a commitment to excellence, Dr. Jennifer Mike-Mayer has become a leading authority in vascular surgical procedures, successfully treating thousands of patients.
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What to Expect at Your UFE Consultation

Opting for UFE at our Corpus Christi clinic means choosing a uterine fibroid procedure that preserves your uterus, involves minimal downtime, and efficiently addresses the fibromyoma of the uterus.

Symptoms & History

During your first visit, the doctor will discuss your medical history and symptoms in detail.

Review Imaging

Review of any existing imaging

Possible MRI Recommendation

Possible MRI recommendation to exclude other conditions and assist in creating a treatment strategy
Note: Patients are encouraged to bring a spouse or loved one to the consultation. Invasive gynecological exams are not conducted.

What Our Patients Are Saying

Fibroid FAQs

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.

Learn more: What are uterine fibroids?

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. 

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.

Get Relief From Fibroids Symptoms With a Minimally Invasive Procedure

Schedule a consultation with our specialists at VasCare to discuss your treatment options.