Uterine fibroid embolization or UFE (also known as uterine artery embolization) is best known as a treatment for uterine fibroids that can have positive, life-changing benefits. In addition, the UFE procedure has a number of additional, equally life-changing — and even life-saving — uses.

UFE For Life-Changing Adenomyosis Treatment

Uterine fibroid embolization can be an effective adenomyosis treatment.

Adenomyosis is a painful condition caused by the growth of uterine tissue through the uterus. Extremely common, it is estimated that up to 20 percent of women suffer from this condition and the discomfort it creates. Its symptoms mirror fibroid symptoms (such as heavy, painful periods and a swollen uterus) and can interfere with daily life.Further, due to the fact that many women experience adenomyosis and fibroids together, it can be hard to distinguish which is causing a woman’s symptoms.

Adenomyosis may be treated with medications and hormone therapy but are often not long-term solutions. Hysterectomies are also common adenomyosis treatments, but will leave a woman permanently infertile and, because it is major surgery, carries a significant risk of complications and a lengthy recovery time.

Thankfully, women have a more promising adenomyosis treatment option in UFE. Not only is the procedure minimally invasive, but it has also proven itself as singularly effective.

“The existing literature indicates that UAE (Uterine Artery Embolization is another name for Uterine Fibroid Embolization) for adenomyosis is associated [with] symptom reduction in 70%,” reported Dr. Nainesh S. Parikh, MD, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Brookline, Mass.1

Dr. Parikh’s claim is backed up by a 2016 Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia and a study published in CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology. The study examined the treatment success of 40 women between 1999 and 2006.All of the women had adenomyosis, and half of them also had uterine fibroids. 

Over the course of five years, the women underwent MRIs, symptom evaluations, and quality of life examinations. More than 70 percent of the women reported that their adenomyosis symptoms were completely cleared up even five years after receiving UFE.

UFE as a Life-Saving Treatment for Complications During Childbirth

Uterine fibroid embolization can provide life-changing symptom relief for fibroid and adenomyosis sufferers. And UFE can literally be a life-saving procedure for women who have excessive bleeding due to childbirth complications.

While bleeding after birth only occurs in 1 to 5 percent of women, it can be unpredictable (occurring anytime from right after birth to weeks after birth) and dangerous. If the bleeding is not quickly stopped, the woman may die.

UFE stand out as a minimally-invasive method of quickly and effectively controlling severe postpartum hemorrhaging. It has been shown to successfully stop the bleeding in more than 90 percent of cases.5,6,7,8

Uterine fibroid embolization is sometimes used to prevent bleeding in the first place in women who are known to have an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhaging (such as those who have placental abnormalities).

In one 2013-2015 study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, 50 high-risk pregnant women were given UFE at 35-36 weeks pregnant.In every single instance, the women experienced less bleeding. And two-thirds of them did not require a blood transfusion at all. In addition, the procedure proved itself safe for the unborn children, who performed normally at their 6-month follow up examinations.

The unmistakable evidence for UFE’s effectiveness in a wide variety of situations means that raising awareness about its efficacy is vital. As women begin to learn about it and view it as more than just a fibroid procedure, they can begin to experience the life-changing symptom relief and potential life-saving impact of this minimally-invasive procedure.

At Vive Eve We’re Specialists in UFE

The doctors at VIVA EVE have years of experience in the treatment of both uterine fibroids and adenomyosis through UFE. We’re committed to providing high-quality, personalized care for each and every patient we see. We will partner with you to determine the best way to treat your problematic fibroids or adenomyosis.

Sources for Fibroid Facts Cited in This Post

  1. Parikh, N., & Fan, C. (2016). Non-fibroid indications of uterine artery embolization. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology27(3), S215-216. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvir.2015.12.556
  2. Taran, F., Stewart, E., & Brucker, S. (2013). Adenomyosis: epidemiology, risk factors, clinical phenotype and surgical and interventional alternatives to hysterectomy. Geburtshilfe Und Frauenheilkunde73(09), 924-931. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1350840
  3. Smeets, A., Nijenhuis, R., Boekkooi, P., Vervest, H., van Rooij, W., & Lohle, P. (2011). Long-term follow-up of uterine artery embolization for symptomatic adenomyosis. Cardiovascular And Interventional Radiology35(4), 815-819. doi:10.1007/s00270-011-0203-1
  1. University of Rochester Medical Center. (2016). Health Encyclopedia—Postpartum Hemorrhage. Retrieved August 30, 2016, from HTTPS://WWW.URMC.ROCHESTER.EDU/ENCYCLOPEDIA/CONTENT.ASPX?CONTENTTYPEID=90&CONTENTID=P02486
  2. Inoue, S., Masuyama, H., & Hiramatsu, Y. (2014). Efficacy of transarterial embolisation in the management of post-partum haemorrhage and its impact on subsequent pregnancies. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology54(6), 541-545. doi:10.1111/ajo.12228
  3. Xu, J. (2015). Effectiveness of embolization of the internal iliac or uterine arteries in the treatment of massive obstetrical and gynecological hemorrhages. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences19(3), 372-374.
  4. Kim, T., Lee, H., Kim, J., Ryu, A., Chung, S., & Seok, L. (2013). Uterine artery embolization for primary postpartum hemorrhage. Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine11(6), 511-518.
  5. Li, X., Wang, Z., Chen, J., Shi, H., Zhang, X., & Pan, J. et al. (2012). Uterine artery embolization for the management of secondary postpartum haemorrhage associated with placenta accreta. Clinical Radiology67(12), e71-e76. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.crad.2012.07.021
  6. Niola, R., Giurazza, F., Nazzaro, G., Silvestre, M., Nasti, G., & Di Pasquale, M. et al. (2016). Uterine artery embolization before delivery to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. Journal Of Vascular And Interventional Radiology(3), 376-382. doi:10.1016/j.jvir.2015.12.006

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