Uterine Fibroid Embolization Specialist
LA Vascular Specialists
Vascular Specialists located in Beverly Hills, CA & Encino, CA
Uterine fibroids are a common gynecological problem that affects women during their childbearing years but can be cured through Uterine Fibroid Embolization treatment. Though these benign tumors don’t always cause problems, for some women, fibroids affect their quality of life. At LA Vascular Specialists, with offices in the Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Encino communities of Los Angeles, California, Ramtin Massoudi, MD, and the team of board-certified doctors performs uterine fibroid embolization. This minimally invasive procedure serves as an alternative treatment for getting rid of your fibroids. To learn more about Uterine Fibroid Embolization, call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that grow in the muscular tissue of a woman’s uterus. These tumors are common and vary in size and number.
Fibroids don’t always cause symptoms, and it’s not unusual for women to have fibroids and not know it. However, in some women, fibroids cause an array of symptoms that affect their quality of life, including:
- Pelvic pressure
- Pelvic pain
- Low back pain
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Abnormal bleeding
- Abdominal bloating
- Frequent urination
- Infertility
- Pregnancy complications
Treatment for fibroids varies and may depend on the severity of symptoms. In some cases, the recommendation is surgery to remove the benign tumors. But the team at LA Vascular Specialists offers an alternative treatment for fibroids: uterine fibroid embolization.
What is uterine fibroid embolization?
Uterine fibroid embolization is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of fibroids. During the procedure, your provider at LA Vascular Specialists inserts a catheter into a blood vessel and threads the catheter until it reaches the artery that supplies your fibroid with blood.
Your provider then injects tiny particles made of plastic or gelatin into the blood vessel. These particles block the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your fibroid, causing it to shrink.
LA Vascular Specialists use fluoroscopy/X-ray-guided imaging during your uterine fibroid embolization to ensure accuracy of particle placement.
What happens during uterine fibroid embolization?
Your provider at LA Vascular Specialists first administers an anesthetic to block pain and help you relax. You remain awake during uterine fibroid embolization.
Using real-time X-ray guided imaging, your provider inserts the catheter into a blood vessel and advances it to the uterine arteries that supply blood to the fibroid. When the catheter is in place, your provider injects the particles to seal off the artery.
You should be able to go home the same day as your procedure. However, some women require an overnight stay in the hospital for monitoring and post-embolization syndrome.
With post-embolization syndrome, you may develop a low-grade fever, pain, nausea, and vomiting. When at the hospital, the health experts provide treatment to alleviate these symptoms.
However, these symptoms may continue after discharge and resolve on their own in a week.
How long is recovery following uterine fibroid embolization?
Most women can expect a quick recovery following uterine fibroid embolization. You may need to take it easy for a few days, but you should be able to resume most of your usual activities within a week.
You should also experience a significant improvement in your fibroid symptoms within three weeks after the procedure.
To learn more about uterine fibroid embolization, call LA Vascular Specialists, or book an appointment online today.
