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Uterine Fibroid Embolization - Vivid Vascular, Serving Miami and All of South Florida
Vivid Vascular provides patients with the highest quality vascular care – whether that’s through our state-of-the-art cath lab and vascular surgery suite, or staying abreast of the newest treatments and equipment.
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Uterine Fibroid Embolization

You Don’t Have to Live With Pain and Discomfort

Pelvic pain and bleeding can be caused by different problems. Two of those problems, symptomatic uterine fibroids, and pelvic congestion syndrome are treated by Dr. Gropper here at Vivid Vascular.

Uterine fibroids are a common cause of pelvic pain and bleeding and are very easily treated with a procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization. Pelvic Congestion Syndrome, which is somewhat rarer, is best described as varicose veins of the pelvis. This condition is also easily treated with a procedure called Ovarian Vein Embolization.

Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids

One of the most common causes of pelvic pain and bleeding are uterine fibroids, sometimes called “fibroid tumors.” These benign fibroids grow either inside or outside the uterine wall.

 

Although no one knows what causes fibroids, it is a widely held view that the female hormones estrogen and progesterone seem to make them grow.

Symptoms

Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but when they do, these symptoms include:

 

  • Extremely heavy periods and cramping
  • Lower back pain
  • Painful sexual intercourse
  • Urge to urinate frequently
  • Pain with defecation
pelvic pain

Treatment

The recommended treatment for this condition is called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) and must be performed by an Interventional Radiologist. Dr. Gropper performs this procedure in our state-of-the-art cath lab. He places a catheter through a small incision through the femoral artery located in your upper thigh and guides the catheter to the arteries that supply blood to the fibroids using x-ray guidance. He then injects a solution of polyvinyl alcohol particles that close off the targeted arteries and block blood flow to the fibroid.

 

UFE usually takes between one and two hours, and you will be sent home later that day. Full recovery usually takes about a week.

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is a chronic condition where women experience constant and chronic pelvic pain – often manifesting as a dull ache that is aggravated by long periods of standing.

 

The condition occurs due to the development of varicose veins in the pelvic area (lower abdomen and groin). These varicose veins typically appear during pregnancy and continue to progress in size. In Pelvic Congestion Syndrome, the valves of veins that help return blood from the pelvic area to the heart become weakened, resulting in the pooling of blood in the veins of the pelvis, which causes pain.

 

PCS can be a cause of recurrence of varicose veins in the legs after leg vein treatments.

Symptoms

  • A dull ache aggravated by standing and other physical activity
  • Pain can be worse at the end of the day, during/after sexual intercourse and/or before the onset of menstruation
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Backache
  • Urinary frequency
  • Menstrual cycle defects
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Presence of vulvar/perineal varicose veins
pelvic pain
pelvic pain

Treatment

The preferred treatment for Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is called Ovarian Vein Embolization. The goal of this minimally invasive treatment is to shut down the problematic veins so blood doesn’t collect in the pelvis, thereby relieving pressure and pain.

 

Dr. Gropper performs the procedure in our state-of-the-art cath lab. During the procedure, a thin catheter is inserted into the femoral vein located in the groin area.
 
Using fluoroscopic imaging, which converts x-rays into real-time video images, Dr. Gropper then guides the catheter to the faulty veins where he uses tiny coils inserted through the catheter to close them off.

Make An Appointment Online

For your convenience, we now make it even easier for you to schedule your visit to Vivid Vascular by booking your appointment online. Simply select a date and time that is convenient for you and provide us with the requested information. One of our friendly patient care coordinators will reach out to you via your preferred contact method to confirm your appointment.