Posted by If you’re like most women, you’ve probably heard of uterine fibroids but don’t know much about them. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that develop in a woman’s uterus. While many women live with them without problems, others find pain and discomfort that affect their everyday life. Some symptoms include but are not limited to heavy menstrual bleeding, lower back, and pelvic pain. If you’re struggling with uterine fibroids, you may wonder if there’s anything you can do to get relief. One treatment option gaining popularity is uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). Here are five benefits of UFE:
1. Reduction in Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a minimally-invasive procedure that can be safe and effective for women with heavy menstrual bleeding. UFE involves cutting off the blood supply to fibroids, which shrinks them. Although this can lead to a significant reduction in menstrual bleeding, an individual will still have a period that is less impactful. In addition, UFE can also help to relieve other symptoms associated with fibroids, such as pain and pressure you may be feeling.
For example, uterine fibroid treatment in Memphis TN is performed by highly trained radiologists in private practices who strive to help to preserve fertility. While some treatments for fibroids, such as surgery, can cause damage to the uterus, making it difficult to get pregnant, UFE does not have this effect. This makes it an attractive option for women who want to maintain their fertility.
2. Avoidance of Surgery
For many women, the thought of surgery is enough to make them want to avoid it at all costs. If you’re one of these women, you’ll be glad to know that UFE is a procedure that doesn’t require surgery. This means that you don’t have to worry about the risks that come along with surgery, such as blood loss or post-infection. UFE doesn’t require an overnight stay like surgery so you can go home when the procedure is finished. This also cuts down on time spent away from work or other activities you may miss.
Lastly, UFE is often less expensive than a surgical procedure. Because it is usually done as an outpatient procedure, you won’t have to stay in the hospital. UFE is a cost-effective option for women looking for an alternative to surgery.
3. Quick Recovery Time
Another benefit of UFE is that it has a quick recovery time. Unlike surgery, which typically requires a week or more of recovery time, UFE can be performed on an outpatient basis. You can typically return home the same day as your procedure. During a UFE, a small catheter gets inserted into the uterus at either the wrist or groin area. Many females have reported performing very light exercises and activity within a couple of days of the procedure.
Additionally, there is no risk of scarring or damage to the surrounding tissues with UFE. The incision is so microscopic, it may look like the tip of a wooden pencil. This quick recovery time is one of the significant advantages of UFE over surgery. It allows you to return to your normal activities sooner than expected.
It is important to note that you may experience side effects after your procedure. Some noted side effects such as pain, cramping, or nausea may occur after the procedure. However, these side effects are typically mild and temporary, and if you were not prescribed medication by your doctor/physician, you can simply manage symptoms with over-the-counter medication. If you do continue to experience pain for whatever reason, it is best to see your doctor to find and eliminate the problem.
4. Reduced Risk of Complications
UFE is a safe and effective procedure with a very low risk of complications. In fact, the complication rate for UFE is less than 1%. This means that the risks associated with UFE are much lower than those associated with other treatment options, such as surgery.
This is because UFE does not require any incisions. There is also no risk of infection or other complications associated with UFE. This makes it a safer and more effective option for many women. Also, because UFE is less invasive than surgery, there is no risk of scarring or damage to the surrounding tissues making it a popular choice for many.
5. Cost-Effective Treatment Option
UFE is an excellent, budget-friendly treatment option for women with uterine fibroids. It is typically performed on an outpatient basis, meaning going to a hospital is unnecessary. UFE is also less expensive than surgery and there is no long list of post-surgery tasks since the recovery time is little to none. This makes it a convenient and affordable option for many women.
A study was done, examining the data from a college in Philadelphia, for uterine fibroid treatments between the years 2000 and 2002. They found that the treatment cost for UFE was outstandingly less than the cost for surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy. The difference was about $3000. After the study ended, doctors concluded that UFE treatment has the potential to save money for the patient, hospital, and maybe the entire healthcare system as a whole.
Additionally, UFE is often covered by insurance. This means that women can save even more money on the cost of treatment. UFE treatments are not only safe and effective but also very affordable.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many benefits of UFE. If you’re suffering from uterine fibroids, UFE could be your solution. It is a minimally-invasive procedure with a quick recovery time and a very low risk of complications. Additionally, it is typically less expensive than surgery. It is also important to be aware of complications that may make you ineligible for UFE. For example, having an infection in your pelvis or fibroids that are extremely large in size, can be difficult to offer treatment and you may not be the right candidate for UFE. Be sure to have a conversation with your doctor so you can learn more information about Uterine Fibroid Embolization and the proper treatments for you.