Uterine fibroids are a common problem, affecting between 20-70% of women of reproductive age. At Advanced Vascular Institute, in Panama City, Florida, Ahmed Farag, MD, provides treatment of uterine fibroids utilizing minimally invasive procedures. Call Advanced Vascular Institute to schedule uterine fibroid treatment, or book your appointment online today.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are abnormal growths that form in the uterus. They usually aren’t cancerous, but without treatment, they can cause a variety of symptoms and affect your quality of life.
Fibroids vary in number. Some women have a single fibroid, while others have many. Similarly, fibroids appear in various sizes.
What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroid symptoms include:
Depending on their size and location, fibroids may cause lower back pain and/or pain during sex.
How are uterine fibroids treated?
At Advanced Vascular Institute, Dr. Farag treats uterine fibroids with a conservative and integrative approach. He commonly suggests uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). UFE is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure that selectively blocks blood flow to uterine fibroids. A healthy pregnancy and childbirth are possible after uterine fibroid embolization.
During the procedure, Dr. Farag makes a small pin-hole incision in your leg and uses X-ray imaging to guide a catheter (a thin, hollow tube) into the blood vessels that supply your uterine fibroids.
Once the catheter is in position, Dr. Farag inserts tiny particles called microspheres into it. The microspheres cut off circulation to the fibroids, causing them to shrink over time. UFE is very effective and provides lasting relief for up to 85% of all patients with fibroids.
Call Advanced Vascular Institute to schedule uterine fibroid treatment, or book your appointment online today.
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is chronic pelvic pain affecting millions of women worldwide that is a result of varicose veins in the pelvis. Similar to varicose veins in the legs, varicose veins in the pelvis are caused by valves that allow blood to flow backwards, resulting in enlarged veins that cause inflammation and trigger adjacent nerves, producing pain.
Symptoms:
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is difficult to diagnose and many women suffer for years from pelvic congestion before receiving a diagnosis. If you have had chronic pelvic pain for more than 6 months, you may be suffering from Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. Other possible symptoms include:
Diagnosis:
Pelvic congestion can be determined from an ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan. The diagnosis of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome should then be confirmed with a venogram. MINT performs venograms by injecting dye into the veins and using x-ray imaging to determine whether or not the blood flows backwards. If a diagnosis of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is made, it can be treated simultaneously with the venogram.
Treating Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Embolization Therapy:
At Advanced Vascular Institute, we utilize embolization therapy to treat Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. Through the use of small catheters, coils are delivered to the veins which stop the backwards flow of blood in the pelvis. This procedure is minimally-invasive and allows patients to go home the same day and recover quickly. If you have been diagnosed with
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome or have been suffering from pelvic pain, call AVI and schedule a consultation today!
Why Choose Embolization Therapy?