Hysterectomy or uterine artery embolization?
Most women have heard of hysterectomy, being removal of the uterus, for treating uterine fibroids but many may not be familiar with uterine artery embolization (UAE). This is a procedure where arteries leading to the fibroids are blocked so that the fibroids effectively starve and shrink. This procedure can be used on its own to treat fibroids but can also be used to shrink very large fibroids before carrying out a hysterectomy.
UAE has advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional hysterectomy.
Advantages of uterine artery embolization
- it has fewer complications
- it takes less time to recover from the procedure compared to hysterectomy
Disadvantages of uterine artery embolization
- it was less effective at curing symptoms associated with fibroids
- women were more likely to require further treatment for their symptoms, including a hysterectomy in some cases
In spite of these disadvantages, women were more likely to recommend UAE to their friends than a hysterectomy. UAE will definitely be popular among working women considering the shorter recovery time compared to hysterectomy.
Source
During “investigating” my symptoms, more than one problem was discovered (I not only had fibroids on both the inside and outside of my uterus, but cystotic ovarys, twisted tubes and a bicornuate-shaped womb).
I was offered several options, including UAE, but ultimately chose to have a hysterectomy. Because of my (other) unique health circumstances (had a kidney transplant in 2007 and other chronic illness most of my life) I didn’t want to deal with the possibility of on-going problems or additional proceedural necessity.
I had my ‘hoo-hoo-ectomy’ Jan 11th and have had no further complications.
Hi Krissi. I’m glad things are going well. It’s wonderful that you are so positive about the problems you’ve been having. Take care.