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Advanced Uterine Artery Embolisation

Do heavy periods make your daily life difficult leaving you feeling drained and desperate for solutions? You're not the only one. Many women in India deal with severe symptoms from uterine fibroids often unsure about what to do with treatment options. Uterine artery embolisation gives women a way to treat fibroids while keeping their uterus. The procedure's minimally invasive nature helps treat fibroids and controls heavy uterine bleeding from different causes, including postpartum haemorrhage. 

This article explains what UAE involves, its treatment process, benefits and risks, and answers common questions about this popular fibroid treatment option.

What is Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE)?

Fibroids are the most common non-cancerous growths in the uterus. Women who want to keep their uterus intact can benefit from uterine artery embolisation instead of major surgery. The procedure blocks blood flow to specific areas in the uterus. Uterine fibroids and other problematic tissues gradually shrink as their blood supply disappears. This smart approach lets you keep your uterus while treating several conditions effectively.

An interventional radiologist usually does this procedure. These experts treat conditions without major surgery by using small tools & innovative technology. Most women get UAE as outpatients with sedation and local anaesthesia instead of general anaesthesia.

UAE treats several conditions:

  • Uterine fibroids that cause heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, or pain
  • Adenomyosis, where the uterine lining grows into the muscle tissue
  • Heavy bleeding from trauma in emergencies
  • Postpartum haemorrhage when other treatments don't work
  • Uterine arteriovenous malformations that cause abnormal bleeding

UAE doesn't suit everyone. You shouldn't get this procedure if you're pregnant, have a pelvic infection, suffer from blood vessel diseases, react badly to contrast dyes, or have fibroids without symptoms.

UAE lets doctors treat multiple fibroids at once and recovery happens faster than with traditional surgery. The procedure works well even if you have abdominal scar tissue from previous surgeries. 

Best Uterine Artery Embolisation Doctors in India

Why is Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE) Treatment Done?

Doctors recommend UAE when fibroids cause the following problems:

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding 
  • Pelvic pressure or pain
  • Constipation or frequent urination
  • Painful intercourse
  • Enlarged uterus or abdomen

Treatments 

Before the Procedure

Your doctor needs a full picture of your health through a history review and diagnostic tests like MRI, hysteroscopy or ultrasound to find the cause of bleeding. A biopsy might be needed to check for cancer cells. You should stop taking aspirin, NSAIDs and blood thinners before treatment and fast according to instructions.

During UAE

An interventional radiologist performs this outpatient procedure that usually takes about 90 minutes. The doctor numbs your groin area with a local anaesthetic and makes a tiny puncture in your femoral artery. They make a small cut where your leg meets your pelvis (groin area). A thin, flexible tube called a catheter goes through this tiny opening into your leg artery. The doctor guides this catheter into your uterine arteries using X-rays, CT scans, or MRI.

The doctor injects small particles—about the size of sand grains—through the perfectly positioned catheter into your blood vessels. These particles stick to vessel walls and create clots that block blood flow to the fibroids. Your fibroids start shrinking over time without their blood supply.

After UAE

  • You can go home the same day. 
  • Moderate to severe pelvic cramps last for 24 hours and might continue up to two weeks. 
  • Your doctor will give you pain medication and antibiotics. 
  • You can return to normal activities within 7-10 days.
  • You should avoid sex and heavy lifting for about two weeks.

Benefits 

UAE helps the majority of women with fibroids get partial or complete symptom relief. Other benefits include:

  • Your uterus stays intact, unlike with a hysterectomy
  • Recovery happens faster due to minimal invasiveness
  • Blood loss remains minimal during and after the procedure
  • Complications are fewer compared to invasive surgeries
  • You avoid hormone therapy side effects
  • Multiple fibroids can be treated at once

Risk of Uterine Artery Embolisation Procedure

UAE is generally safe but comes with potential risks:

  • Postembolisation syndrome happens most commonly, causing pain, low-grade fever, fatigue, and nausea
  • Infection 
  • Arterial injury 
  • Loss of menstrual periods
  • Premature ovarian failure (more common in women over 45)
  • Fertility problems or difficulty getting pregnant
  • Need for more treatment if symptoms come back

Conclusion

Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) is an excellent choice for women dealing with uterine fibroids or abnormal bleeding. This gentle treatment helps shrink problematic growths and preserves your uterus - something that matters deeply to many patients. The recovery is quick. Most patients go home the same day and resume their regular routine in just 7-10 days. The disruption to daily life is minimal compared to major surgery.

Women need options to deal with fibroid issues. The UAE provides a middle ground between taking no action and having major surgery. Your doctor will help you determine if this treatment fits your needs.

UAE shows how far medicine has come. It handles complicated UAE cases with minimally invasive methods rather than major surgery. This treatment helps many women who struggle with heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain. It revolutionises their life quality without the long recovery time or risks that come with more invasive procedures.

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Frequently Asked Questions

UAE results last differently for each person. Studies show remarkable success rates. Symptoms might return in some women within 3-5 years, and they might need more treatment. A second UAE procedure remains an option for persistent symptoms.

UAE causes less discomfort than a hysterectomy. The procedure avoids surgical incisions, which means:

  • Recovery takes less time 
  • Scarring stays minimal since the procedure needs just a tiny puncture
  • Pain stays manageable with oral medications

Patients usually feel cramping for 2-7 days after UAE. Hysterectomy brings surgical pain and takes longer to heal. Notwithstanding that, both treatments help improve quality of life.

Long-term outcomes of UAE are:

  • Menstrual changes: Periods become lighter or sometimes stop completely, especially in women over 45
  • Fertility considerations: Women can still get pregnant after UAE, though research data remains limited
  • Ovarian function: Small risk of premature menopause, higher in women over 45

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