Kathleen* feels like she has reclaimed the life she deserves to live. The excessive bleeding from multiple uterine fibroids is gone, and so are the gel-like blood clots, constant fatigue, painful cramping, and unexplained weight gain. Out of the many fibroid symptoms women can have—even low energy levels, emotional struggles, and having to double-up on pads with each cycle—Kathleen feels that she experienced it all. Those are a thing of the past now, and she says she has Fibroid Institute to thank—though she wishes she knew about the effective and near painless approach using uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) sooner. Had this been the case, she likely would not have undergone fibroid treatment procedures twice in her 40s.
According to Kathleen, a different doctor performed UFE on her in 2011 by making a femoral incision in her groin. This approach contrasts with the less invasive and often more effective process of using the radial artery. No incision, only a small puncture in the wrist, is how Fibroid Institute performs these procedures with positive results. It was not until a gynecological specialist referred Kathleen to the Fibroid Institute that she finally experienced relief.
Kathleen’s story is another example of how far UFE treatment has come and the Fibroid Institute’s advanced approach to fibroid treatment at our Dallas and Houston fibroid centers. Previous objections from doctors and patients alike usually involved UFE performed by a hospital staff interventional radiologist. In those cases, when patients were released from the hospital, they had post-procedure pain that their referring physician had to manage because the hospital radiologist was no longer involved.
While this may have been true in the past, UFE has come a long way. For starters, at Fibroid Institute it is now performed by accessing the radial artery, which requires a small wrist puncture rather than a femoral incision near the groin. In addition, it can be done on the same day in an office setting. Perhaps the best part is that most patients who undergo uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) experience more than a 90% reduction in fibroid-related symptoms. In many cases, recovery time is only 7-10 days versus 4-6 weeks for surgery.
Most patients who undergo uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) experience more than a 90% reduction in fibroid-related symptoms. In many cases, recovery time is only 7-10 days versus 4-6 weeks for surgery.
Fibroid Treatment: ‘I Wish I Had Known Sooner’
Fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that can stay the same size or grow at different rates and in different locations. Depending on where fibroids grow, they can press against internal organs and lead to uncomfortable symptoms. Granted, not all women with fibroids experience symptoms. Those who do, however, typically report symptoms ranging from heavy menstrual bleeding and cramping to fatigue, constipation, urinary infrequency, painful intercourse, back pain, and more. If left untreated, these issues tend to get worse.
Kathleen’s symptoms are not uncommon, though not many women realize symptoms such as weight gain, passing blood clots, fatigue, and having to double up on pads for each menstrual cycle are because of fibroids.
In terms of weight gain, keep in mind that not all fibroids stay small. As they grow, they weigh more. That is a lot of excess weight to be carrying around. These non-cancerous growths are under hormonal control—specifically, estrogen—and tend to grow more rapidly during the reproductive years when hormone levels are at their highest. Fibroids can also grow in clusters to create a large, heavy mass. In many cases, they can vary from the size of a pea or bean to a melon or grapefruit and cause swelling of the abdomen. As a result, this can make a woman appear pregnant and look like she has gained weight.
The link between fibroids and weight gain also involves heavy or prolonged periods. When this happens, a woman can develop anemia, a common blood disorder that affects more than 3 million Americans. Having anemia can make you feel tired and weak, leading women to scale back on exercising. This, too, leads to weight gain.
Patients and healthcare professionals describe period blood clots as gel-like clumps of blood and tissue that resemble pieces of mashed-up fruit or stewed strawberries. They can vary in color from bright to dark red. More often than not, they are nothing to worry about. That said, a “normal menstrual flow” typically lasts three to eight days and occurs every 22 to 38 days, with the menstrual cycle counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. It also consists of less than 80 ml of blood per menstrual cycle. That is about the amount contained in a small Dixie cup. Anything excessive beyond what is listed above is considered heavy bleeding, as each soaked normal-sized tampon or pad holds a teaspoon (5 ml) of blood.
Normal menstrual flow typically lasts three to eight days and occurs every 22 to 38 days, with the menstrual cycle counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. It consists of less than 80 ml of blood per menstrual cycle, about the amount contained in a small Dixie cup.
About one-third of women seek treatment for heavy periods, which can include any of these symptoms:
- Heavier than normal bleeding or clotting
- Bleeding that causes frequent pad changes (every 1-2 hours)
- Bleeding through your pads or the need to double up with a pad and a tampon
- Menstrual flow with blood clots that are as big as a quarter or larger
- Bleeding through your clothes or bedding
Experiencing regular heavy periods is undoubtedly frustrating, painful, stressful, and embarrassing. Many times, women are quick to chalk the condition up to simply part of being a woman. As a result, a woman like Kathleen might double up on pads during their menstrual cycle. The reality is that this is not normal.
“Even after the UFE procedure with Fibroid Institute, I was used to padding up and wearing a panty liner,” Kathleen said. “It is a mental thing—it can mess with you. I wish I had known sooner.”
Fibroid Treatment with Radial Artery (Wrist) UFE Works
The specialists at Fibroid Institute have spent their careers rewriting the story of fibroid treatment with UFE. This includes focusing on patient comfort during and after fibroid treatment.
As previously stated, the old way of performing UFE called for accessing the femoral artery (groin). Furthermore, patients were more restricted during and after the procedure since it requires an incision. They could not move around freely after the procedure and were required to lay flat for 1-2 hours. In addition, the groin approach can lead to a higher chance of bleeding. Not only was this the case with Kathleen during her 2011 procedure, but she continued experiencing many of the same symptoms she was hoping to eliminate.
At Fibroid Institute, we perform UFE through the radial artery (wrist). Using X-ray guidance, we inject small particles into the blood vessels with a slender, flexible tube or catheter. This blocks blood flow to the fibroids and causes them to shrink. Surrounding healthy tissue is not affected because it continues to be fed by other unblocked vessels. As a result, patient discomfort is minimized significantly. The procedure takes approximately one hour. You will be asleep the entire time. When the procedure is complete, you can resume light activities as soon as you feel up to it. Most women return to work or regular daily activities in 7-10 days.
Other benefits of fibroid treatment with UFE at Fibroid Institute
- All fibroids may be treated at the same time
- No incision, which means no surgical scarring
- Over 90% of patients see dramatic improvement in symptoms
- UFE costs less and is covered by most insurances
- Tiny wrist puncture, no need for vaginal access
- Avoid side effects of pharmaceutical hormone therapies
- Patients get direct access to their doctor’s mobile number
- All providers are fibroid experts and UFE specialists
“I noticed a drastic difference,” Kathleen said. “I honestly feel normal and younger now. I have lost weight, my hair is healthier, and my energy levels are higher. I even have more confidence to wear white, which I could not do before. I had the procedure in one day, and I have continued to feel better each day since.”
She added, “If you follow their guidelines, it works. How many doctors give you their cell phone number? That is amazing. I am very grateful, but that is putting it mildly.”
Read more about Fibroid Institute’s highly specific formula that helps patients experience little to no pain after UFE when they follow the recommended medicine chart from our fibroid doctors.
Fibroid Treatment Is Easy With UFE. Visit Our 100% Fibroid-Focused Practice.
At Fibroid Institute, we are dedicated to improving awareness of fibroids and fibroid treatment options for women. All too often, women are either unaware of UFE and other fibroid treatment options, or they went through a bad experience in the past like Kathleen. As a result, they can feel as if there are no solutions to their problems. Please do not suffer in silence. Do your research, ask questions, seek second opinions, and never hesitate to reach out to our team of specialists at the Fibroid Institute.
Thousands of women visit Fibroid Institute year-round to meet our highly specialized fibroid treatment team who offer concierge-level care. We are happy to cater to those needs and offer a nonsurgical solution: uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). At Fibroid Institute’s Houston and Dallas fibroid clinics, we help thousands of women avoid fibroid surgery and find relief from their fibroid symptoms. Meet some of these women here:
Because experience matters, our physicians have completed more than 40,000 interventional radiology cases over the course of a combined 55 years of experience. Our fibroid doctors are board-certified interventional radiologists and experts who are passionate about helping women become #FibroidFree.
Most major medical insurance providers cover the cost of UFE. Get started now with Fibroid Institute Dallas at 214-838-6440 or with Fibroid Institute Houston at 713-903-3733 or complete the form below.
Fibroid Institute Texas serves the Dallas and Houston areas including Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, Addison, Carrollton, Plano, Frisco, Craig Ranch, McKinney, Allen, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, HEB, Arlington, Euless, Hutchins, Irving, Duncanville, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Cockrell Hill, Highland Park, University Park, Park Cities, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Dallas, Sherman, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Clear Lake, The Woodlands, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, and more.
Prior to starting any new treatment or if you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.