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Fibroids1What is a Uterine Fibroid?

  • Benign tumor of uterine smooth muscle
  • Fibroids are not pre-cancerous
  • Also referred to as myomas or leiomyomas

How Common are Uterine Fibroids?

  • Estimated that 25 to 50% of women eventually develop fibroids
  • Fibroids most frequent ages 30s and 40s
  • Most common tumor of the pelvis in females
  • 10% to 30% of women with fibroids are symptomatic

What Causes Fibroids?

  • Exact cause currently unknown
  • Fibroid development and growth is linked to estrogen and progesterone
  • Evidence that progesterone may stimulate fibroid growth
  • Genetic predisposition is probable

What Symptoms Occur with Uterine Fibroids?

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding, sometimes with passage of blood clots. Anemia can occur if bleeding is severe
  • Pain, pressure or feeling of fullness in the pelvis, abdomen or lower back
  • Frequent urination or constipation
  • Pain during or bleeding after intercourse
  • Infertility or miscarriage
  • Distended abdomen

Fibroids1How are Fibroids Diagnosed?

  • Clinical history and physical exam
  • Pelvic ultrasound
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Laparoscopy or hysteroscopy

How did Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE ) Evolve?

  • Embolization of uterine arteries for severe post-partum or post-traumatic hemorrhage performed for over 20 years
  • Jacques Ravina, French Gynecologist, in 1990 performed UFE two weeks prior to myomectomy in order to decrease blood loss
  • Women cancelled myomectomy procedure because they noticed bleeding, pain and bulk symptoms improved after Uterine Fibroid Embolization
  • This discovery has lead to a promising new alternative treatment-UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION!

St. Thomas Radiology Associates, LLC  •  Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
Fibroids  •  Women's Imaging Center  •  Vein Center

Paragon Medical Building, Suite 103  •  9149 Estate Thomas  •  St. Thomas, USVI 00802
4500 Queen Mary Hwy, Suite B4  •  Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI 00820