Treatment for Fibroids

Treatment for Fibroids: Alternatives to Hysterectomy

Uterine fibroids, also know simply as "fibroids", have long had a sole treatment option: hysterectomies. Today, however, there are numerous other ways to receive treatment for fibroids. From "watchful waiting" to basic pharmaceutical therapy and beyond, the ideal treatment is often dictated by the degree of symptoms caused by the fibroids as well as the size and number of fibroids involved.

In the past, hysterectomies were the default procedure when considering treatment for fibroids. There are, however, alternatives to hysterectomy treatment, one being a minimally-invasive non-surgical procedure. The process is called Uterine Artery Embolization, and it can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Uterine Artery Embolization: How it Works

Initially, you will want to determine if Uterine Artery Embolization could be your ideal treatment for fibroids. You can do this by clicking on any of the options listed under the Get Answers section this page or by consulting your OB/GYN or other specialist in your area.

If you and your doctor come to the conclusion that Uterine Artery Embolization is a treatment for fibroids that will be effective in your case, your procedure will work like this. Your physician will insert a very small catheter into your femoral artery (upper thigh). That catheter will then be used to deliver Embosphere® Microspheres, which are tiny spheres, that settle in at the base of your fibroids and block the blood flow to them. Without the blood flow that brings an oxygen supply to the fibroids, they stop growing and start the shrinking process. Further, the microspheres will stay at the fibroid site permanently, preventing any further complications at that site. To watch a short visual demonstration that details the process of Uterine Artery Embolization as a treatment for fibroids, visit our Uterine Artery Embolization Procedure page now.

Uterine Artery Embolization as Treatment for Fibroids

Of all the fibroid tumor treatment options available, Uterine Artery Embolization has several distinct advantages. The most obvious advantage is that it preserves the uterus. And unlike a hysterectomy procedure, this type of treatment for fibroids does not require any hormone therapy replacement, as the ovaries remain untouched and in place. Further, quick healing allows most women to return to normal daily activities in just 11 days.

To learn more about treatment for fibroids, simply follow this link: Embolization of the Uterine Artery for Fibroid Treatment.