One out of every four American women of childbearing age has uterine fibroid tumors. Many of these women suffer from excessive bleeding or pelvic discomfort. Approximately 175,000 of these women will undergo a hysterectomy this year.

A new non-surgical alternative treatment is now available. Interventional Radiologists, working with X-ray guided vision, can inject tiny particles into the uterine arteries and cause the fibroid tumors to shrink. The procedure has been highly su

ccessful in relieving pressure and reducing excess bleeding.

The procedure, called Uterine Fibroid Embolization or UFE for short, is done in a special X-Ray room under sterile conditions. Patients are given intravenous medication for comfort and relaxation, and small tubes called catheters are placed into the uterine arteries through the groins. Tiny particles are injected through these catheters that are then removed.

The particles go to work on the fibroid tumors immediately by depriving them of their blood supply. This causes discomfort similar to heavy menstrual cramps. Patients are given libera1 doses of pain medication, and kept in the hospital overnight. Most patients feel well enough to go home the next day, and return to work or to normal activities in about a week. The fibroids keep on shrinking for several weeks. The relief from excess bleeding and pelvic discomfort appears to be permanent, but the procedure is so new that long term effects have not been thoroughly studied. Although no direct comparisons have been done, early reports suggest the procedure is safer than surgery.

UFE can give relief from heavy periods or discomfort caused by fibroid tumors. It preserves the uterus and avoids the risks and recovery time of major surgery. While not everyone benefits from UFE or surgery, researchers have reported high rates of satisfaction among patients treated with Uterine Fibroid Embolization.