Frequently Asked Questions
We hope you find these commonly asked questions helpful. If you have a question that you don’t see an answer to, please contact us.
Treating Fibroids
No, if you don’t have any symptoms from your fibroids, they can be left alone.
Yes! Some medicines can temporarily relieve symptoms. An endometrial ablation can improve heavy bleeding. However, UFE has over 90% success to resolve many or all fibroid symptoms for all fibroid sizes and locations.
Your fibroids will continue to grow until you go through menopause. If they never cause you problems, you can ignore them. If you are a young woman (in your 30s) and already have large fibroids, it may be wise to take care of them before they get bigger and more difficult to treat.
UFE Candidates
At the first visit, the doctor or nurse practitioner will clarify your medical history from the forms you fill out before the visit. If you are at our office, we will do a quick physical exam (all your clothes stay on). We will explain how the UFE procedure goes, describe the symptoms you’ll have after the UFE, and tell you the risks involved. Then we’ll answer any questions you still have. At that point, if you are interested in having the UFE procedure, we will order an MRI to see if you are a candidate.
The initial evaluation for UFE is through a consultation with one of our fibroid experts to review your medical history and physical exam. After that, we’ll help you schedule an MRI.
If you already had your MRI beforehand, then you will have a consultation with one of the fibroid doctors.
Whether you have a consultation first or MRI first, either way you must have MRI results before your we schedule your UFE procedure.
Yes, UFE will treat every fibroid in the uterus at once.
Scheduling, Insurance and Preparation
After the consultation and after your MRI, we wait for your insurance to approve the UFE. That can take anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks.
Yes. Most major health insurance companies cover UFE.
We will carefully explain what the instructions are before the procedure, and we’ll provide you with written instructions too.
Fibroids and Pregnancy
Most women with fibroids are easily able to get pregnant and have babies without any problems. However, large or multiple fibroids can be a source of infertility.
It is possible to have a normal pregnancy, normal delivery, and normal baby after having the procedure. There is a small amount of evidence that suggests a slightly higher miscarriage rate if you have a UFE. If eligible to have another treatment for your fibroids, that may something to consider until further data is available about pregnancy after UFE. However, if a woman has been told that hysterectomy is her only treatment option and she wants to avoid fibroid surgery, we are available to discuss the possibility of UFE with her.
UFE Success
UFE relieves fibroid-related symptoms 90% of the time.
UFE blocks blood flow to the fibroids and causes them to shrink over several months. You can expect to see the full effect within 3 to 6 months of the procedure.
Once you have a UFE, your existing fibroids will shrink and won’t return in the same blood flow location. If you’re in your 30s and have 20 years before menopause, it’s possible for fibroids to grow in new locations. If you’re close to menopause due to your age, it’s very unlikely you will develop a big enough fibroid that would cause symptoms.
Hysterectomy and Myomectomy
Yes. The UFE procedure may reduce the need for hysterectomy substantially. 1/3 of all hysterectomies in the U.S. are linked to fibroids.
Myomectomy is a surgery in which the fibroids are removed but the uterus is left in place.
Myomectomy is often recommended for women who want to preserve the uterus and maximize future fertility as a top priority, especially for women with large fibroids. However, while both can relieve symptoms, myomectomy has a longer recovery time and is more invasive than UFE. Some doctors recommend UFE prior to a myomectomy to reduce the fibroid sizes before surgery, ensuring a less bloody surgical procedure.
Watch the short videos below for common questions answered by our Founder and Medical Director, Dr. Suzanne Slonim, a top Dallas fibroid doctor: