Many of our patients at Desert Vein & Vascular Institute come to Dr. Rami for treatment of uterine fibroids in a procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). Dr. Rami has specialized in this procedure for over 15 years, and he performs it in our Desert Endovascular Surgical Center.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that occur in a large proportion of women, often during their childbearing years. Also called leiomyomas or myomas, uterine fibroids are not associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer and very rarely ever develop into cancer.
Many women have these growths and don’t realize it. But sometimes, the growths cause problems such as heavy menstrual bleeding, frequent urination, and pelvic pain and need to be treated.
What are the symptoms associated with uterine fibroids?
Symptoms with these growths usually depend on their location and size. These are the most common symptoms:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Menstrual periods lasting more than a week
- Pelvic pressure or pain
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Constipation
- A backache or leg pains
What is uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)?
Using x-ray guidance, Dr. Rami inserts a catheter into the patient’s femoral artery, the artery in the groin area. This is the artery supplying blood to the uterus and the fibroids. Tracking the catheter to the correct location, Dr. Rami then releases an embolic agent into the arteries supplying the fibroids. These embolic agents block the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink and die. This relieves the symptoms the patient has been experiencing.
How soon will my symptoms be relieved?
After UFE with Dr. Rami it is common for menstrual bleeding to be thoroughly diminished during the first cycle, and continue to diminish down to a normal level in the succeeding two cycles or so. As your fibroids continue to shrink and soften over the months, full relief will start as early as two to three weeks after your UFE procedure and will continue to improve.
Do you have uterine fibroids that are causing any of the above symptoms? Please call us at Desert Vein & Vascular Institute, at (623) 847-3884, to make a consultation with Dr. Rami.