Patient Education

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Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.

Get the facts

Your options

  • Have uterine fibroid embolization to treat your symptoms.
  • Choose another treatment, such as over-the-counter pain medicine, hormones, or surgery.

This decision aid is for people who have decided to treat their uterine fibroids. Many fibroids don't need treatment.

Key points to remember

  • Uterine fibroid embolization (or uterine artery embolization) shrinks or destroys a fibroid by cutting off its blood supply.
  • Embolization doesn't always cure fibroids.
  • You may want to have this procedure if your symptoms haven't improved with other treatments.
  • You may recover more quickly after embolization than after hysterectomy, Opens dialog.
  • This procedure can have risks and side effects. These include infection, early menopause, Opens dialog, and pain that in rare cases could last for months.
  • This procedure may not be a good choice if you want to get pregnant. It's possible to get pregnant afterward, but the procedure has an unknown effect on fertility. And there may be a higher risk for pregnancy problems after embolization.
  • Fibroids usually get better on their own after menopause. If you are near menopause, you could try hormone therapy for a while.

FAQs

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Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.