Myomectomy may be the best option for women who want to treat their fibroids, but maintain the possibility for pregnancy in the future. Having a myomectomy does not guarantee that fibroids won’t grow back, and some women will require re-treatment if fibroids recur.
Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE)
The UAE procedure is an alternative therapy for women who want to avoid a surgical procedure and who wish to preserve their uterus. With UAE, a radiologist inserts particles into the blood vessels which deliver most of the blood flow to the uterus (the uterine arteries). Once these particles are deposited, the uterine arteries are permanently blocked and blood flow to the uterus is decreased. This decrease in blood flow causes the fibroids to shrink, but there is still enough blood flow from surrounding blood vessels to keep the uterine tissues healthy and alive.
While some women will conceive and deliver a pregnancy after UAE, others may have fertility problems after the procedure. For this reason, UAE is best suited for women who do not plan to have children in the future.
Uterine fibroids are extremely common and may require treatment if they cause symptoms or infertility. Hysterectomy, myomectomy and UAE are standard treatments that can relieve symptoms caused by fibroids. Women should be sure to discuss any plans for future pregnancy with their doctor when deciding on a treatment.
Fibroids: Exploring Your Treatment Options was originally published on blackdoctor.org
