Do You Suffer From Prolonged and Heavy Menstrual Periods?

By Meghal R. Antani, MD

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors within the female reproductive system. While the majority of uterine fibroids are diagnosed and treated in women between the ages of 35-54, fibroids canoccur inwomen as young as in their20's.

Most fibroids cause no symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, they may include

Heavy, prolonged menstrual periods

Pelvic pain or pressure

Frequent need to urinate

Constipation

An enlarged belly or feeling bloated

Anemia

Pain during intercourse

Fibroids are often discovered when a woman has a routine pelvic exam and are frequently treated with a hysterectomy. More than 600,000 women undergo hysterectomies in the United States each year, but some doctors believe that many women do notrequire this drastic operation. In fact, according to medical studies,75% of hysterectomies may not be necessary.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) as a first-line of treatment for fibroids.Numerous studies confirm the efficacy and safety of UFE as an alternative, nonsurgical treatment option to hysterectomy. A hysterectomy usually requires a 4-6 week recovery period and has the potential for complications, such as significant bleeding during surgery, and scar formation in the abdomen that can cause a bowel obstruction later.

On the other hand, UFE is a safe, effective, and proven treatment for symptomatic fibroids and an alternative to a more invasive hysterectomy. During a UFE procedure, the physician injects tiny particles into the blood vessels supplying thefibroidsin order to block blood supply to the fibroids and cause the fibroids to shrink. The procedure takes about an hour and does not require general anesthesia. For most women, it is a welcome alternative to a hysterectomy.

Results of a five-year study reveal that an estimated 90% of women experienced long-term relief after UFE. Additionally, because UFE maintains the uterus, there is still apossibility of pregnancy with successful term deliveries. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advise that women should discuss with their Gynecologist and Physicians if UFE is right for them.