Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) or Uterine Fibroid Ablation: What You Should Know
Most women will experience uterine fibroids at some stage in their lifetimes.
While many women will not have noticeable fibroid-related symptoms, common fibroid symptoms include pelvic pain, frequent urination, irregular menstrual cycles, heavy bleeding, and weight gain.
The team at Georgia Fibroids offers advanced treatment approaches designed to minimize fibroid symptoms without requiring lengthy hospitalization or invasive surgeries. Two of the most innovative procedures are uterine fibroid embolization and uterine fibroid ablation.
Uterine fibroid embolization and ablation are two procedures used to treat uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous growths that develop in the uterus. While both procedures aim to address the symptoms caused by fibroids, there are key differences between them.
Let’s take a look at two highly effective treatments for uterine fibroids.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is an outpatient medical approach that blocks the blood flow to the fibroids. During our UFE procedure in Atlanta, a radiologist inserts a thin catheter into the artery that carries blood to the uterus and injects small particles into the arteries that feed the fibroids. The particles obstruct the blood supply, causing the fibroids to shrink and die.
Fibroid Ablation
Fibroid ablation is a minimally invasive, targeted procedure for treating uterine fibroids.
Types of Fibroid Ablation
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). Radiofrequency ablation involves using heat generated by radiofrequency waves to destroy fibroids.
- Cryoablation. During cryoablation, a thin needle-like probe is inserted into the fibroid under imaging techniques such as ultrasound. The probe delivers extremely cold gases, usually liquid nitrogen or argon gas, to freeze the fibroid tissue.
- High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation (HIFU). A medical procedure that uses ultrasound waves to heat and destroy targeted tissues in the body precisely.
What Are the Differences Between Uterine Fibroid Embolization and Ablation?
One of the main differences between UFE and ablation is the approach used to treat fibroids. UFE is aimed at blocking the blood supply to the fibroids, while ablation techniques directly destroy the fibroids using heat or cold.
UFE in Atlanta offers the following benefits
- Uterus preservation
- Minimally invasive
- All fibroids can be treated simultaneously
- No closing stitches required
- Requires only mild sedation
- A success rate of approximately 85%
Discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider to determine the optimal approach for your lifestyle, medical circumstances, and goals.
Georgia Fibroid Specialists
The team at Georgia Fibroids offers an innovative, comfortable, and highly effective ablation and UFE treatment for uterine fibroids in Atlanta. If you struggle with uncomfortable or debilitating fibroid symptoms, please contact our care representatives to schedule an evaluation today.
