Common symptoms of uterine fibroids include a number of unpleasant experiences, from painful periods to bloating.
However, what many women experience, and do not talk about, are lower urinary symptoms of fibroids that can lead to constant urges to urinate and a loss of bladder control. These urges can interfere with a woman’s ability to go about her daily activities, can interrupt her sleep at night, and can lead to embarrassing and frustrating accidents.
How Fibroids Can Cause Urinary Symptoms
The bladder is located in close proximity to the uterus. When multiple and large fibroids grow from the uterus, they put pressure on the neighboring organs, including the bladder. This causes frequent and often painful urination. Worse, the pressure on the bladder may be even more pronounced when a woman is laying down, leading to many nighttime trips to the bathroom.
Despite the urinary discomfort, due to the risks and other downsides of common, surgical fibroid treatments (like a hysterectomy or a myomectomy), many women hesitate to seek treatment for their fibroids. Fortunately, per a study published in the International Urogynecology Journal, the minimally-invasive uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) procedure has the ability to alleviate or resolve lower urinary tract symptoms of fibroids.1
Study Shows Urinary Symptoms of Fibroids and Impact of UFE Treatment
The study examined the urinary symptoms and quality of life of women who had undergone uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) as a treatment for large fibroids in the uterus. The 57 women in the two-plus-year study averaged 44 years old and were suffering from symptoms of fibroids that included lower urinary tract problems.1
Each woman filled out questionnaires and a 48-hour bladder diary both before undergoing the UFE procedure and 3 months after. The questionnaire and diary were intended to reveal the patient’s urinary-related symptoms of fibroids, their intensity, and the degree to which they impacted her quality of life.
The study revealed that UFE provided dramatic results for patients. In particular, patients reported improvements in how often they urinated, and in how much their quality of life has improved.
Other Research Supports Impact of UFE on Fibroid Symptoms
While the results of the IUJ study were dramatic, they are not an isolated discovery. Other research has also shown that UFE can serve as an effective treatment for urinary-related symptoms of fibroids.
For example, a study of 9 postmenopausal women who suffer from fibroids found that urinary symptoms were the most common fibroid-problem reported by patients. Yet, after UFE, 8 of the women no longer experienced any urinary tract problems related to uterine fibroids,2 such as urinary tract problems such as frequent urges to urinate.
The Fibroid Experts at Viva Eve Can Help You Alleviate Fibroid Symptoms
The doctors at VIVA EVE have years of experience in the treatment of both uterine fibroids and adenomyosis and are specialists in the minimally-invasive uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) procedure.
At VIVA EVE, the entire staff is 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 the Fibroid Facts Cited in This Post
- Shveiky, D., Iglesia, C. B., Antosh, D. D., et al. (2013). The effect of uterine fibroid embolization on lower urinary tract symptoms. Int Urogynecol J, Aug; 24(8): 1341-1345.
- Lee, S. J., Kim, M. D., Kim, G. M. (2016). Uterine artery embolization for symptomatic fibroids in postmenopausal women. Clin Imaging, Jan-Feb; 40(1): 106-109.
- Baird, D. D., Dunson, D. B., Hill, M. C., et al. (2003). High cumulative incidence of uterine leiomyoma in black and white women: Ultrasound evidence.Am J Obstet Gynecol, Jan; 188(1), 100–107.
- McLucas, B., Voorhees, W. D., & Elliott, S. (2016). Fertility after uterine artery embolization: a review. Minim Invasive Ther Allied Technol, 25(1): 1-7.
- Ruuskanen, A., Hippeläinen, M., Sipola, P., et al. (2010). Uterine artery embolization versus hysterectomy for leiomyomas: primary and 2-year follow-up results of a randomised prospective clinical trial. Eur Radiol, Oct; 20(10): 2524-2532.
