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Why Many Women
Choose UFE for Fibroid Treatment
Compared to other options, UFE offers valuable benefits that make it an effective solution for those who need relief from fibroid symptoms.
No
Incisions
UFE is a non-surgical procedure with fewer risks compared to surgery. Patients only need a Band-Aid® post-procedure.
Calmer Healthcare Experiences
UFE is performed in a private, fully equipped clinical setting that avoids the inconveniences and discomfort of hospitals.
Shorter
Recoveries
UFE patients go home on the same day as their procedure, and most women resume normal life within a week or less.
Preserved
Fertility
UFE preserves the uterus and reproductive organs, making it a valuable option for those with fibroids who wish to have children.
Choosing The
Right Fibroid Treatment For You
Emage Fibroid Centers understands fibroid relief can look different for everyone. That’s why we emphasize that the right fibroid treatment option is the one that’s right for you at the time. This may vary based on things like:
- Your symptoms
- The types of fibroids you have
- The impact of fibroids on your daily life
- Your fertility goals
When you choose us as your fibroid treatment partner, we’ll work closely with you to gain the fullest picture of the unique circumstances that brought you to us. By understanding your symptoms, past treatment experiences and current treatment goals, we can recommend your best path forward.
Your UFE
Treatment Experience at Emage
We strive to make fibroid treatment easy, convenient and comfortable for every woman. For patients who choose to pursue UFE, the treatment process usually looks something like this:
Step 1: Consultation
Meet with an interventional radiologist physician in the privacy of one of our offices or via telehealth. We’ll discuss your medical history, your fibroid treatment goals and available options such as UFE. We’ll also cover insurance and financial details before recommending next steps.
Step 2: MRI Imaging
MRIs are painless outpatient tests that create high-resolution 3D images of your uterus and surrounding area. They provide clear pictures of fibroids from multiple angles, helping us get a good idea of the size, number and location. We’ll work with you to schedule an MRI at a convenient time.
Step 3: Candidacy Review
After your consultation and MRI, we’ll review your case to determine if you qualify for UFE. Most women who have been told they qualify for other fibroid treatments are usually candidates for UFE. Rarely, a fibroid may not be suitable for UFE, which is why we recommend an MRI beforehand.
Step 4: Procedure Day
Your UFE will be performed in the fully equipped, private X-ray room of our outpatient facility. Light sedation and local anesthetics will help you stay comfortable. The procedure usually takes less than an hour. You’ll then be able to rest for several hours before you can get up, eat and go home.
Step 5: Recovery
UFE recovery time is about a week, and women only need a Band-Aid® to cover the nick from the procedure. Throughout your recovery, your healthcare team will be there to support you with any assistance or questions. After you’ve recovered, we’ll likely order a follow-up MRI to ensure everything looks good and confirm that fibroids are disappearing.
FAQs
About Fibroid Treatment
How do I know which fibroid treatment is right for me?
The best way to choose the right fibroid treatment for you is to work with a healthcare provider who will ensure you have everything you need to make an informed decision.
At Emage Fibroid Centers, we believe that proper education is the key to achieving this goal. We’ll work closely with you to understand your unique health situation, concerns and goals, and recommend options that will be a good fit.
Is fibroid treatment possible without surgery?
Yes, many fibroid treatment options can provide symptom relief without surgery. Lifestyle changes, diet, exercise and various medications may work in different situations. Additionally, non-surgical procedures such as UFE can be performed in outpatient environments, don’t involve general anesthesia and have shorter recovery times compared to surgery.
The best way to determine which course is right for you is to speak with a fibroid expert. When you consult Emage Fibroid Centers for your fibroid treatment needs, we will work to get a full picture of your symptoms and treatment goals, so we can recommend the best course of action moving forward.
Does insurance cover fibroid treatment?
Non-surgical UFE treatment is covered by most major insurance carriers, including government-backed plans like Medicare and Medicaid. Your specific out-of-pocket obligations for the procedure will vary based on your specific plan.
Other fibroid treatments, including surgical options, may also be covered under your plan, but again, out-of-pocket obligations can vary. Consult your specific policy for further information.
What are Interventional radiologists?
Interventional radiologists are medical doctors who specialize in using imaging technologies—such as X-rays and ultrasound—to perform non-surgical procedures like UFE. In this treatment, they guide a small catheter through the blood vessels to block the blood supply to uterine fibroids, causing them to shrink over time.
Unlike traditional surgery, UFE requires only a tiny incision, leading to less pain and a shorter recovery period. Interventional radiologists are specially trained to perform this targeted procedure safely and effectively while preserving the uterus.
How long has UFE been a treatment option?
UFE has been used as a treatment for fibroids for several decades. The underlying embolization technique has been in use for close to 40 years, and UFE specifically began to emerge as a dedicated fibroid treatment in the 1990s.
Today, UFE is a well-established procedure with decades of clinical experience and research supporting its safety and effectiveness.
Talk to a
Healthcare Coordinator
Fibroid relief starts with being heard, and Emage Fibroid Centers is committed to providing a space where you can learn, understand and make the treatment decisions that are right for you.
Your Fibroid
Treatment Options
There are many different types of fibroid treatments, including lifestyle changes and non-surgical procedures like uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). Most women, including many who are told surgery is their only option, have more than one treatment path available to them.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) Treatment
UFE is a safe, non-surgical fibroid treatment procedure that can effectively relieve fibroid symptoms without many of the risks of surgery. Most women who have been told that they qualify for fibroid surgery also qualify for UFE, and it’s covered by most insurance plans.
UFE is performed by interventional radiologists in a private, outpatient setting, using local anesthesia and conscious sedation. During a UFE procedure:
- A tiny nick is made in the wrist or groin, and a catheter is threaded through it to the uterine artery.
- A special contrast material is injected through the catheter to map the blood vessels around the pelvis and uterus. This helps the doctor guide the procedure with precision.
- Once the catheter is in place, tiny particles are injected through the catheter into the vessels that feed the fibroid.
- The particles cut off the blood supply to all fibroids, which causes them to soften, shrink and die off over time. As this occurs, symptoms begin to resolve.
After the embolization is complete, the catheter is removed and a simple Band-Aid® is applied over the small nick used for the procedure. Patients go home on the same day, and most women resume their normal daily activities within a few days.
Lifestyle & Symptom Management Approaches
Like many other medical conditions, fibroid symptoms can sometimes be managed through lifestyle adaptations like:
- A healthy diet
- Regular exercise
- Weight loss
- Regular sleep
- Stress relief
- Stopping smoking
Healthier practices like these can benefit you in multiple ways, including by optimizing your body’s estrogen levels. Because fibroids can be estrogen-sensitive, regulating this hormone may help control fibroid growth.
Medication and Supplement-Based Fibroid Treatments
A variety of medications may help control fibroid symptoms and provide pain relief. These include:
- Oral contraceptives (birth control)
- Progestin-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- GnRH antagonists or GnRH agonists (GnRHAs)
- NSAIDs and pain relievers
Natural supplements may also provide benefits. For example, Vitamin D can inhibit fibroid growth, and many fibroid patients take it as part of their daily routine. Iron supplements can also benefit those experiencing symptoms of fibroid-related anemia.
While no medication will permanently shrink or destroy fibroids, these solutions can be beneficial for controlling symptoms. Talk to your doctor to determine if medication is an option for fibroids.
Surgical Fibroid Treatments
There are a variety of surgical options for fibroids, including:
- Myomectomy: Surgical removal of fibroids that preserves the uterus.
- Hysterectomy: The complete removal of the uterus.
Surgery is clinically appropriate in certain situations. However, there are other treatments, such as non-surgical UFE, that can also control fibroid symptoms, reduce pain, preserve fertility and help you feel better. If you’ve been advised to have surgery by another doctor, but want to see if you have options, Emage Fibroid Centers can help you get a clear picture of your available choices.