How Do I Know If Uterine Fibroid Embolization Is Right for Me?

If you've been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and are exploring treatment options, you may have come across uterine fibroid embolization as a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery.

Uterine fibroid embolization — a fibroid treatment option available here at Fresno Fibroid Center in Fresno, California — treats fibroids by cutting off their blood supply. Instead of a large incision, Drs. Balfour, Ng, Pruett, and Tower access your fibroid through tiny incisions through either your thigh or your left wrist. After the blood supply is cut off to your fibroid, your fibroid starts to shrink and your symptoms dissipate.

But how do you know if fibroid embolization is right for you? The right treatment depends on the type and severity of your fibroids — which is discussed during your appointment in our Fresno, California, office.

Here, our expert team shares five reasons to consider this treatment for yourself.

Your symptoms are severe

If you're experiencing mild to moderate symptoms that don't significantly impact your quality of life, conservative management strategies such as medication or watchful waiting may be sufficient.

Not all fibroids cause noticeable symptoms, but for the women who do have symptoms, they can be impossible to ignore. Depending on the size and type of your fibroid, you might notice:

Severe menstrual bleeding
Anemia
Intense pain in your pelvic area, abdomen, or lower back
Frequent urination or Incontinence
Constipation
Pain in the back of your thighs (a result of fibroid pressing on nerves)

Bottom line: If you have severe symptoms that affect your quality of life, you might consider uterine fibroid embolization.

You want a minimally invasive treatment

Unlike traditional surgical options like hysterectomy or myomectomy, which involve incisions and longer recovery times, uterine fibroid embolization only requires a tiny incision in either your groin or wrist.

Your Fresno Fibroid Center surgeon then uses advanced imaging techniques to guide the placement of embolic agents that block the blood supply to your fibroids. Like all minimally invasive surgeries, you can expect less bleeding, less postoperative pain, and a quicker recovery.

Also, you won’t need an overnight hospital stay; you can head home about 2-4 hours after your procedure. So, if you prefer a less invasive alternative to surgery with a shorter recovery period, consider fibroid embolization.

You want to grow your family

Unlike hysterectomy, which involves the removal of the uterus, this procedure preserves your uterus which allows you to maintain your ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. If you’d like to explore fertility-sparing fibroid treatments, let us know during your consultation.

You’ve already tried other options

If you’ve already tried conservative options, such as watchful waiting, but find that that’s no longer working for you, you might consider embolization.

You’re free from any contraindications

Uterine fibroid embolization is generally considered a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic fibroids. However, there are certain contraindications or circumstances in which it may not be recommended.

As with any procedure, you should only consider embolization if you’re free from any contraindications. Contraindications include pregnancy, active pelvic infections, allergies to the contrast dye (used for imaging during the procedure), and certain bleeding disorders.

Is uterine fibroid embolization right for you?

Don’t let untreated uterine fibroids affect your quality of life. Call 559-216-0746 to speak with our friendly staff, or simply click here to book your uterine fibroid embolization consultation.