(Author’s Note:  As I went through my Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) recovery process, I could not find articles on what to expect after having the procedure.  With this article I hope to help women who would like to know what might happen to them following the UAE.  If you have any questions after reading this article, please contact me.) 

During the recovery process my symptoms improved as follows:  The bulk feeling, night urination, and spotting were the first symptoms to improve within the first three weeks after the UAE.  The amount of wave-like pain spasms decreased over the next two months.  My menstrual flow wasn’t as heavy as before the UAE and it only lasted for a few days (for some women the readjustment of their menses can be 3 – 6 months after UAE). 

Looking at my calendar diary I kept for Dr. Worthington-Kirsch, my gynecologist, and the Duke University study, I am amazed how my body adapted to the procedure.  Talking to Dr. Worthington-Kirsch, I realize that each woman can go through a different recovery experience after the UAE procedure. 

All women will experience the same result from the UAE procedure, which will be the plastic particles blocking off the vessels supplying the blood and oxygen to the fibroids and thus causing the fibroids to die.  The factors that will vary from woman to woman are dependent upon where the fibroids are located, size, type of fibroids, and the woman’s natural body process of eliminating the uterine fibroid tissue. 

Ninety percent (90%) or more of women may not experience any major changes except the brownish discharge (for 1-3 weeks) and the reduction of the uterus and fibroids.  I had a lot of activity with fibroid discharge over the first four months.  Dr. Kirsch said, “Only 5-10% of his patients have this reaction.”  During this timeframe when I was expelling fibroid tissue and brownish discharge (small fragments of fibroid which migrate to the inner lining of the uterus and then are shed out), I used over the counter Motrin for the occasional cramps. Some women experience expelling small hair-fine pieces of fibroid or dime to quarter size layers of the fibroids.  Sometimes when the fibroid tissue is expelled, a woman may experience some bleeding.  I, as well as other women, look upon this process as a good thing because it helps with the reduction of the fibroids and shows the UAE is working by getting rid of the uterine fibroid tissue.  Depending on where the fibroids are located and how much a woman’s organs have shifted, a woman may experience small adjustment pains or cramps as the body readjusts back to its original shape.   

At my four-month examination, January 2002, I was weighed and I had lost 10-¾ lbs. My abdomen’s shape continued to change due to the three inches that was lost.  I had an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound study performed and the reduction shown was impressive!  Uterus volume (Pre UAE was 479cc) was down to 200cc, a 58% REDUCTION, (at the two-month ultrasound it was 331cc, a 31% reduction).  The normal size of a non-pregnant uterus is considered to be 200cc.  

The remaining results of the four-month ultrasound study were questionable due to a “technical factor” by the technician/doctor who did the ultrasound.  From this situation I realized that it is important to research the diagnostic center’s background to see what experience they have on performing an ultrasound study on a UAE patient. 

When evaluating the UAE results Dr. Kirsch said, “The size reduction of the fibroids and uterus are not the only important factors to be looked at.  The decrease in fibroid related symptoms should be considered in the overall success of the UAE procedure.” 

Another experience I had was discovering that some gynecologists don’t give the UAE patient the respect and care that they need.  Some gynecologists feel threatened by the procedure and whether knowing it or not are sending a message to their patients that they are indifferent to the UAE procedure. 

I asked my Gyn to forward a copy of my medical records to Dr. Kirsch, but he showed hesitation.  His remarks were very negative about the UAE treatment and he was very cold to me as if I had the plague.  After my examination, I contacted Dr. Kirsch and asked him for a gynecologist referral.  He did some research and he found me a doctor in my area. 

Another symptom that continued to improve was the sexual discomfort.  With most women they will feel their sexual pain improve very soon following the UAE procedure.  Due to the location and size of my fibroids, it was four months before I felt this symptom completely disappear.  

I continue to gain more energy and vitality to do the physical activities I couldn’t do before the UAE.  My husband notices my increased energy level and says, “Dr. Kirsch’s UAE procedure and the ‘passion pellets’ (how my husband refers to the plastic particles) are really working great.  It is nice to have a happy wife back.” 

At my one-year annual check-up with Dr. White, my new gynecologist, my uterus was the size of 10-weeks (Pre UAE 16-18 weeks) and the fibroids had decreased even more.  My new gynecologist said that the uterus and fibroid reduction process would continue for a year or more.  I was ecstatic when he told me I had lost a total of 24 lbs. and I continue to lose the weight.  Before the UAE I could not lose the weight that kept steadily increasing.

I asked Dr. Kirsch, “Does gaining weight cause uterine fibroids to grow or do the uterine fibroids cause a woman to gain weight?”  Dr. Kirsch said, “The fibroids certainly have some weight to them, which decreases after UAE. However, I think that many women with problems from fibroids also have poor self-image and are unable to get a lot of exercise. These factors change after a successful UAE, so many women lose more weight than just the fibroids can account for.”

I hope that every woman with uterine fibroid disease checks her options carefully and doesn’t continue to suffer needlessly when treatments are available to relieve the pain or discomfort.  If you feel you are not getting the proper care and not being told all the available fibroid treatment options, it may be time for you to look for another doctor.  The doctor’s concern should be for the patient’s health and the patient’s right to decide on which treatment to have performed. 

I am very happy I changed my gynecologist.  Dr. White shows he cares about my health and he is very respectful about my decision to have had the UAE procedure, in fact, he is very pleased with the medical outcome.  

I feel Uterine Artery Embolization is definitely worth researching before making a decision on which current uterine fibroid treatment to have performed.  Four areas to research before choosing a doctor who performs the UAE procedure are:  check the doctor’s qualifications on UAE training, number of patients he has performed the UAE procedure on, what is his success rate with the UAE procedure, and will you be in the personal care of the Interventional Radiologist for three months. 

The improvement of the quality-of-life and the visible changes are still occurring as I start my second year (September 6, 2002)… 

For more information on uterine fibroid disease refer to www.hopeforfibroids.org - Hope Waltman, Founder, e-mail hopewaltman@paonline.com or Robert L. Worthington-Kirsch, M.D., FSCVIR, Image Guided Surgery Associates, 5735 Ridge Avenue, Suite 106, Philadelphia, Pa.  19128, e-mail kirsch@igsapc.com, web site  www.fibroidcorner.com.  For a Uterine Artery Embolization brochure contact Karen Hauben, hauben@igsapc.com. 

Reprinted by permission of Hope For Fibroids Organization.

My Journey:  Post UAE 1 Year to 20 Months