Uterine fibroids are the most frequent tumors of the female genital tract: Almost 77% women of childbearing age have a fibroid. And about 30% of uterine fibroids are associated with Adenomyosis (bulky / enlargement of uterus), an estimated 40% need treatment, many of whom are forced to go through emotional, physical and financial trauma of hysterectomy i.e. removal of uterus. Others survive on pain medications said Dr. Pradeep Mulley , Radiologist, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj.

Adenomyosis is commonly misdiagnosed as fibroids, because the symptoms are similar. The uterus is often enlarged, and on ultrasound imaging the tissue structure is distorted.. This can be a particular problem if myomectomy surgery is undertaken.  An attempted myomcetomy for “fibroids” on a patient with adenomyosis can result in extensive bleeding and may result in the need for hysterectom

Depending on location, size and number of fibroids and associated with Adenomyosis, they may cause:

1. Heavy, prolonged painful menstrual periods and unusual bleeding, sometime with clots. This might lead to anemia.
2. Lower abdomen, back or leg pain
3. Lower abdomen pressure or heaviness
4. Bladder pressure leading to a constant urge to urinate
5. Pressure on bowel, leading to constipation and bloating
6. Abnormally enlarged abdomen

Fibroid (rasauli) and Adenomyosis (swelling /enlarged / bulky uterus) are common conditions of uterus, which many women face during their reproductive age. And many women unfortunately have to undergo hysterectomy (surgical removal of uterus) thinking that no other treatment is available for their uterine problem even if they are young.

Now a very effective & very patient-friendly non-surgical treatment is available for treatment of fibroids & adenomyosis called “Uterine Artery Embolization” that requires only 24 hrs hospitalization, no surgical scar on abdomen, short recovery as compared to surgery, all fibroids & adenomyosis are treated at one sitting, no blood loss or risk of blood transfusion, resolution of heavy bleeding in majority, within 24 hours.

In myomectomy/ Laparoscopic surgery, only 2-3 fibroids can be removed at a time causing rapid recurrence of smaller unidentifiable/ unremoved fibroids. While with UAE, all fibroids, microscopic to larger, are treated in one sitting.  Emotionally, financially and physically – embolization has an overall advantage over major surgeries.

Procedue : This treatment is done by doctors called  Interventional Radiologists who are trained in Non Surgical treatments. They inject microscopic particles into the uterine fibroids via a catheter, blocking the flow of blood to the fibroids, causing them to shrink. Today more than several hundred  thousand women worldwide have found relief with uterine artery embolization. “The entire procedure takes about 20 minutes, but the results can last a lifetime,” says Dr. Muley.