What are Leiomyomas?
Leiomyomas (fibroids) are non-cancerous growths in the uterus, or womb. Leiomyomas develop from the smooth muscular tissue of the womb. Leiomyomas are not cysts. Leiomyomas consist of dense tissue and occur only in the uterus, while cysts form on the ovaries and are fluid-filled.
Leiomyomas may grow slowly or quickly, or they may simply stay the same size. However, if they get too large, they may start causing the painful and life-altering symptoms.
Who Can Get Leiomyomas?
Fibroids (leiomyomas) are very common. As many as 3 out of 4 women will develop leiomyomas during their lifetimes. Most are unaware they have fibroids. Sometimes, doctors will accidentally discover fibroids during a routine pelvic or pregnancy exam, and then refer their patients to a specialist to have the fibroids treated.
Fibroid Removal &Treatment
Traditionally doctors used hysterectomies to remove leiomyomas aka uterine fibroids. However, today hysterectomies are no longer always the best option. Experts can effectively treat leiomyomas with procedures such as Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) that do not require surgery.
Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms?
If yes, you could be one of the many women suffering from uterine fibroids (leiomyomas).
• Heavy menstrual periods
• Pain between and/or during periods
• Difficulty or frequent urinating
• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Constipation
• Pain during and/or after intercourse
• Back or leg pain
• Distension or bloating
Are you a candidate for treating your fibroids without surgery? A 10-minute free phone screening is all it takes to find out.
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Diagnosing Leiomyomas / Fibroids
The specialists at Fibroid Institute Houston are experts at accurately and quickly diagnosing fibroids. Telehealth options are available. A physical exam and vaginal access is not required. After reviewing your medical history and discussing your symptoms at your consultation appointment, an ultrasound imaging test will determine whether or not you have fibroids. In some cases, you may also need an MRI.
Excellent patient care is our passion.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
A Non-Surgical Treatment for Leiomyomas /Fibroids
Our number one patient-preferred treatment option is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). This state-of-the-art procedure requires no surgery, no incision, and no vaginal access. See why UFE is the right choice for you to become Fibroid Free and take your life back:
Patient Preferred
Uterine Fibroid Embolization stops blood supply to the fibroids so it is unnecessary to remove the uterus.
Minimally Invasive
While the patient given medication to feel sleepy and comfortable, UFE is done through a puncture the size of a grain of rice. It heals with almost no scarring.
Quick Recovery
The recovery time is just 7-10 days, shorter than a hysterectomy, so you can get back to your life quickly and with less pain.
Most major insurances accepted.
Our clinics are 100% dedicated to fibroid treatment.
Meet Your Fibroid Expert
Dr. John Fischer is a board certified radiologist with a certificate of added qualification (CAQ) in interventional radiology. He has extensive training in performing minimally invasive procedures with x-ray guidance. Based on his years in practice, he is the among the top experienced UFE specialists in Houston.
He has completed over 3,500 UFE procedures since 2000, including one of the first UFEs in Houston. For over 20 years, he helped train dozens of interventional radiology (IR) fellows, teaching UFE and other complex IR procedures. By performing UFE in the comfort of our fibroid clinics, Dr. Fischer is fulfilling his passion to help women live fibroid free without major surgery.
Dr. Fischer supports the patient centered focus at Fibroid Institute Houston. Nothing is more important to him than doing what is best for the patient. He utilizes the latest UFE techniques, including proprietary pain control protocols, and tailors them to each individual patient.
Find out why so many women turn to Dr. Fischer, with the Fibroid Institute Houston team, for non-surgical uterine fibroid treatment in the Houston area and all of South Texas.
“Knowledge is power. It is imperative that patients educate themselves about all available options and understand the advantages, disadvantages, and potential benefits/risks of each. As a physician, I believe one of my primary responsibilities, besides being a healer, is as an educator. Thankfully, many patients have more than one option and informed patients can confidently choose the option best for them.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few questions that come up regularly about fibroid treatment:
Do All Cases of Fibroids Require Treatment?
No. Treatment is only required in 10% to 20% of fibroid cases. Most fibroid cases don’t cause any symptoms.
How Do I Prepare for the UFE Procedure?
We will carefully explain what the instructions are before the procedure, and we’ll provide you with written instructions too.
Can This Prevent a Hysterectomy?
Yes. The UFE procedure may reduce the need for hysterectomy substantially. 1/3 of all hysterectomies in the U.S. are linked to fibroids.
What If I Feel Anxiety Before the Procedure?
A mild sedative is given an hour before the procedure to help you relax. This helps ease nerves considerably.
Can I Have UFE If I Still Want to Get Pregnant?
It is possible to have a normal pregnancy, normal delivery, and normal baby after having the procedure. However, there is a small amount of evidence that suggests a slightly higher miscarriage rate if you have a UFE. If given the option to have another treatment for your fibroids, that may be safer until further data is available about pregnancy after UFE. If a woman has been told that hysterectomy is her only treatment option, we would be happy to discuss the possibility of UFE with her.
Patient Testimonials
See and hear how UFE has improved the lives of our patients: