Uterine fibroid embolization (UAE)
Uterine fibroids can cause urinary symptoms, including frequent urination and problems emptying the bladder. Our Austin urologists partner with Summit IR to offer uterine fibroid embolization (UAE), a non-surgical treatment for uterine fibroids. Dr. Preston Smith, Vascular and Interventional Radiologist, treats women’s fibroids with this outpatient procedure. If the fibroids are the sole cause of a woman’s urinary symptoms, treatment will usually clear up the issue.
What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous, or benign, growths that develop in a woman’s uterus, on the outer surface or within the muscle tissue of the uterine walls. Some women only have one fibroid, while others have several or a cluster of growths. These fibroids, or leiomyomas, don’t always cause symptoms, and small fibroids may not need treatment. Many women experience the following symptoms.
- Urinary symptoms include frequent urination, the inability to empty the bladder or problems urinating fully
- Bleeding issues such as painful or excessive bleeding while menstruating or bleeding between periods
- Lower back pain
- Constipation or pressure on the rectum
- Chronic vaginal discharge
- Bloating or fullness in the lower abdomen
How does uterine fibroid embolization work?
Our Austin urologists partner with Summit IR to provide a non-surgical procedure called UAE. Physicians have been performing this treatment for uterine fibroids for more than 30 years. During the first part of the procedure, the patient has an x-ray dye study. The interventional radiologist uses this study to locate the arteries in the fibroids and the uterus. Once he locates the arteries, he injects certain arteries with a solution to block almost all the blood supply to the growths. Without a blood supply, the leiomyomas shrink in about four to six months and die off. Many women notice an improvement in their symptoms as early as the first month after the uterine fibroid embolization.
What are the advantages of this type of treatment for uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroid embolization offers several advantages for women who choose this type of treatment.
- Outpatient procedure
- Shorter recovery time than other surgeries
- No incisions – the physician performs the surgery through a pinhole sized opening in the waist or the groin
- This procedure has about a 90% success rate, one of the highest clinic success rates for treatments for uterine fibroids.
- Fewer complications than other procedures to remove fibroids
Our Austin urologists help women who experience urinary symptoms due to uterine fibroids
Women who are suffering from urinary symptoms or other concerns caused by uterine fibroids should talk to the physicians at our Austin urology practice about treatment, including uterine fibroid embolization. Contact us for an appointment.