This Fibroid Awareness Month: Wear White Without Worry
Quick Answer: Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) for Fibroids
Fibroids are extremely prevalent among women, often causing heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and fatigue. Instead of a hysterectomy or myomectomy, many women can treat symptomatic fibroids with Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)- a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that shrinks fibroids by cutting off their blood supply, with no major surgery or general anesthesia needed. Clarity Care offers UFE in the Kansas City area. Schedule a consultation to see if it’s right for you.
Uterine fibroids will affect an estimated 70–80% of women by age 50. While many fibroids never cause symptoms, millions of women experience heavy menstrual bleeding and pain caused by fibroids that can disrupt work, social activities, and everyday life. Heavy or prolonged periods are one of the most common signs of symptomatic fibroids, often causing fatigue, iron-deficiency anemia, and pelvic pain, which can easily interfere with plans, routines, and peace of mind.
This Fibroid Awareness Month, we want to emphasize that unpredictable and heavy periods aren’t something you just have to live with. Understanding your symptoms and knowing what treatment options are available to you can help you take back control from fibroids. If you’ve ever skipped wearing white pants or a light-colored dress because you were worried about your period, packed extra pads or tampons, carried a change of clothes, or even canceled plans because you were afraid of leaking in public, it might be time to talk to a specialist about treatments.
Understanding Your Treatment Options
The most common treatment option presented to women with symptomatic fibroids has historically been hysterectomy, and more recently, myomectomy. A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that completely removes the uterus. While it permanently eliminates fibroids, it also removes the ability to get pregnant and can cause additional hormonal side effects. A myomectomy, on the other hand, removes the fibroids while leaving the uterus intact, although it still requires surgery.
Often, these surgical options are presented as the only effective treatments for fibroids, but this isn’t actually the case. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive and effective treatment for fibroids. UFE is performed by an interventional radiologist and works by blocking the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink over time while preserving the uterus. Because it doesn’t require major surgery, most patients return home the same day and recover more quickly than they would after hysterectomy or myomectomy.
This Fibroid Awareness Month Ask Is UFE Right for You?
UFE may be a good option for women struggling with symptomatic fibroids who also want to avoid major surgery. UFE has been shown to effectively reduce fibroid symptoms, while being conducted in an outpatient setting without any major incisions or use of general anesthesia. An evaluation with an interventional radiologist can help determine whether UFE is the best treatment option for you based on your symptoms, fibroid size and location, and your personal treatment goals.
During Fibroid Awareness Month Don’t Let Fibroids Rule Your Life
Living with heavy periods shouldn’t mean planning your wardrobe around your cycle or worrying about unexpected leaks every time you leave the house. If fibroid symptoms are affecting your confidence, comfort, or daily routine, and you want to pursue treatment, know that effective options are available.
Clarity Care offers UFE (uterine fibroid embolization) for fibroids, performed right in our office. Because UFE is done outpatient rather than in a hospital surgical setting, it typically comes with a lower overall cost– and it’s most often covered by insurance! If you think UFE may be right for you, contact us here to schedule a consultation.
