What Are Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that grow on or within the muscle tissue of the uterus.
Common Fibroid Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include heavy, excessive menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain and pressure, and urinary incontinence and frequency. If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of uterine fibroid tumors, you may find it difficult to perform your daily activities and maintain your way of life.
Types Of Fibroids
There are different types of fibroids and their size can range from very small (walnut size) to as large as a cantaloupe or even larger. It is common for a woman to have multiple fibroid tumors and it may be difficult to understand which fibroid is causing her symptoms.
Who Is At Risk For Fibroids
Approximately 20-40% of women 35 years and older have fibroid tumors. Fibroids are more common among women of African-American descent. Some statistics indicate that up to 80% of African-American women will develop uterine fibroids. Find out if you are at risk for uterine fibroids.
If you have fibroids you have options. While some women do not experience any of the symptoms of fibroids, the location and size of fibroid tumors can cause symptoms that can affect a woman’s quality of life. Take a look at the treatment options available.
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)
UFE is a less invasive procedure for the treatment of uterine fibroids.
The process typically lasts less than an hour and requires only a small incision into the femoral artery. The procedure is designed to block the blood supply to the uterine fibroids, causing them to shrink. As one of the alternatives to hysterectomy procedures, UFE is clinically proven to reduce the major symptoms of uterine fibroids.