Is UFE the Fibroid Fix for You? (Checklist included)

Welcome to Uterine Fibroids Aware Month. If you learn just one thing this July, it’s that there's plenty of options when you're looking for a fibroid fix. But, because there are so many different options, making a decision can be overwhelming. Some treatments involve surgery, some don't. Of course, you want to relieve your symptoms and minimize your down time. And one great option is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). That's because it's an intervention that doesn't require overnight hospital stays or surgery. But, like any medical procedure, it isn't for everyone. How can you know if UFE is right for you? Let's explore this quick checklist.

Who Should Have UFE?

By the time they're 50, most women will develop fibroids. But we're not doing a great job teaching women about this common condition. Because up to 57% of women think they don't need to worry about fibroids, according to survey results.

Then, the problem gets worse when it comes to diagnosing fibroids. For many women, fibroid symptoms such as heavy periods are embarrassing. That makes it harder to talk about your health concerns...and harder to get a fibroids diagnosis. In fact, 37% of women living with fibroids haven't yet been diagnosed. Plus, even after getting diagnosed, the sea of treatment options may be overwhelming. And that's before you realize many treatment options never get discussed by your doctor. In fact, according to the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), when women are told about fibroid treatment options, (53%) are informed about hysterectomies. Sadly, just 20% were told about less invasive options like over-the-counter NSAIDs (19%), UFE (17%) or birth control contraceptives (17%). As such, the SIR is revamping it’s #FibroidFix campaign this month, enlisting fibroid specialists like our team to help women understand their full range of treatment options. Particularly, they want women to know that hysterectomy is often avoidable.

Now, for some women, myomectomy (surgery to remove a fibroid) will be the right choice. Others may need a hysterectomy (removal of uterus.) But, you may be a candidate for UFE if:

• You have fibroid symptoms
• Keeping your uterus is important
• You want to avoid surgery
• Surgery would be dangerous for you
• You are not pregnant

Finding Your Ideal Fibroid Fix

We hope you now understand who may be a good UFE candidate. But there are other factors to consider when it comes to UFE, which is why we've included this easy checklist. (Pictured above.)

Are you looking for your best fibroid fix? Download and fill out this form honestly. Then, bring it in with you to your next doctor's appointment. As you review your answers, know this: if you've responded yes to one or more of the categories, you may be a good candidate for UFE! And if that's the case, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our Houston area fibroid specialists. That's the best way to see if UFE can help resolve your fibroid symptoms!

Sources: Harris Poll, Society of Intervention Radiology