Know the Differences: Myomectomy vs. Embolization
Nearly 80% of women are diagnosed with one or more fibroid tumors, especially during their childbearing years.
If you have fibroids or are experiencing symptoms like heavy bleeding or pelvic pain, our expert team at Houston Fibroids can help.
The good news? Even if your fibroids are painful and affect your daily life, they can be taken care of with little to no downtime using minimally invasive treatment options such as embolization in most cases.
Don’t assume that serious surgery, such as a myomectomy is your only option for complete fibroid relief.
Before you decide, explore all available treatment options to make the best choice for your health and uterus.
Let’s discuss the differences between myomectomy vs. embolization—two standard fibroid treatment options—in more detail.
What is a Myomectomy?
In simplest terms, a myomectomy is a surgical procedure to remove fibroids from the uterus.
A surgeon makes the necessary incisions during the procedure to access your uterus and surgically remove the fibroids.
This surgery aims to remove all symptom-inducing fibroids and reconstruct the uterus, when necessary, to preserve it.
There are four different types of myomectomies, including:
- abdominal
- laparoscopic
- robotic
- hysteroscopic
Laparoscopic and robotic myomectomies are typically outpatient procedures and do not require hospitalization. Other types of myomectomies, however, do require an overnight stay in the hospital.
What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
Uterine fibroid embolization or UFE is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure used to treat shrink and eliminate uterine fibroids.
An experienced interventional radiologist uses a specialized x-ray (e.g., fluoroscopy) to guide the delivery of embolic agents through the wrist or groin to target your fibroids.
These embolic agents block the arteries that provide blood to the fibroids, causing them to lose blood supply, shrink, and completely disappear over time.
UFE has been proven effective, with a success rate of about 85%, in decreasing fibroids and symptoms significantly.
Myomectomy vs. Embolization
There are various ways to treat fibroids. Some are minimally invasive, like fibroid embolization, while others are more extensive, like a myomectomy.
At Houston Fibroids, we recognize the importance of weighing your choices and being a well-informed patient.
Both UFE and a myomectomy are proven procedures that effectively treat fibroids.
They are also similar in that they both:
- remove fibroids in all locations and sizes in one procedure.
- preserve the uterus.
- relieve symptoms quickly.
- improve fertility for some women.
Let’s explore the differences between myomectomy vs. embolization in more detail using the table below.
Embolization
- Utilizes local anesthesia and light sedation
- Full recovery in 1 to 2 weeks
- Requires one small incision and no stitches
- Can return home after the procedure
Myomectomy
- Performed under general anesthesia
- Full recovery in 4 to 6 weeks
- Requires more extensive incisions and surgery depending on approach
- Requires a hospital stay in most cases
It is important to note that myomectomies come with a unique set of risks than a UFE.
With a myomectomy, women experience an increased risk of:
- blood loss
- scar tissue
- the need for total uterus removal
- increased chance of pregnancy or childbirth complications
Before you decide on a treatment option, discussing your symptoms and receiving a thorough diagnosis with a team of fibroid specialists is essential.
Your Fibroid Specialists in Houston
At Houston Fibroids, we don’t think extensive surgery, such as a myomectomy, is always the answer for fibroid treatment.
Most women can shrink and eliminate their fibroids with minimally-invasive procedures like UFE. We encourage you to explore your treatment options with us.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is UFE right for me?” we can help you understand the procedure better and determine if it is the best route for your unique health needs.
Schedule a consultation with our fibroid specialists today.
