What is a Uterine Fibroid?

• Benign tumor of uterine smooth muscle
• Fibroids are not pre-cancerous
• Also referred to as myomas or leiomyomas

How Common are Uterine Fibroids?

• Estimated that 25 to 50% of women eventually develop fibroids
• Fibroids most frequent ages 30s and 40s
• Most common tumor of the pelvis in females
• 10% to 30% of women with fibroids are symptomatic

What Causes Fibroids?

• Exact cause currently unknown
• Fibroid development and growth is linked to estrogen and progesterone
• Evidence that progesterone may stimulate fibroid growth
• Genetic predisposition is probable

What Symptoms Occur with Uterine Fibroids?

• Heavy menstrual bleeding, sometimes with passage of blood clots. Anemia can occur if bleeding is severe
• Pain, pressure or feeling of fullness in the pelvis, abdomen or lower back
• Frequent urination or constipation
• Pain during or bleeding after intercourse
• Infertility or miscarriage
• Distended abdomen

How are Fibroids Diagnosed?

• Clinical history and physical exam
• Pelvic ultrasound
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Laparoscopy or hysteroscopy

How did Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE ) Evolve?

• Embolization of uterine arteries for severe post-partum or post-traumatic hemorrhage performed for over 20 years
• Jacques Ravina, French Gynecologist, in 1990 performed UFE two weeks prior to myomectomy in order to decrease blood loss
• Women cancelled myomectomy procedure because they noticed bleeding, pain and bulk symptoms improved after Uterine Fibroid Embolization
• This discovery has lead to a promising new alternative treatment-UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION!