Fibroids are usually not a problem after menopause as fibroids tend to shrink on their own at that point. However, Dr. Suzanne Slonim explains that there are rare instances that fibroids could pose a problem post menopause.

“Occasionally it can happen, but it’s rare. After menopause the stimulation to form fibroids is gone. Usually that’s when the fibroids start to shrink on their own. Sometimes I will counsel a woman if she’s close to menopause that she may want just wait and see if the fibroid takes care of itself, but occasionally particularly if a woman who’s taking hormonal treatment for management of menopause symptoms, that can also cause the continuation of fibroid growth and symptoms.”

“So it’s not unheard of for me to treat post menopausal women, especially if she has a fibroid that’s in a location that causes bleeding, and becomes anemic, then absolutely we treat those patients.”

See Dr. Linda Hughes’ answer to this question.

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Uterine fibroid embolization is an effective treatment for treating uterine fibroids. It may or may not be the best treatment option for your body. Dr. Slonim explains below how she will determine if you’re the right candidate for UFE.

“Yes, I can help you determine if you’re a candidate that’s based on your medical history, physical exam, and an MRI to demonstrate the anatomy of the fibroids, and of the uterus. Once we determine that you are a candidate, we schedule the exam at your convenience, I’m always here, and we can do, we choose from a couple of different facilities that we can work at and whatever’s convenient for you we can do it there.”

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Uterine Fibroid Embolization has been recognized as a medically necessary procedure, and because of this, insurance plans have been more accepting of covering the procedure.

“Yes, this is a medically necessary procedure for a multitude of reasons, and 20 years ago when the procedure was in its infancy it wasn’t covered, but now I think every insurance plan covers UFE.”

See Dr. Linda Hughes’ answer to this question.

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Dr. Slonim explains that you will still have your period after having a UFE procedure, but with each menstruation cycle your flow will get lighter.

“Yes, you will still have your period. In fact, it’s very common for your first period after the procedure to be very heavy. You’ll have very heavy flow, but from then it will get lighter and lighter, and lighter. It should not go away completely until you reach menopause, but it should get lighter.”

See Dr. Linda Hughes’ answer to this question.

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Returning fibroids and symptoms after having a UFE varies with the person and is dependent on one’s age. Dr. Suzanne Slonim explains the odds of getting fibroids again.

“The answer to that question depends on our age, OK. So, younger women, women who are prone to making fibroids are going to continue making fibroids, we’ll treat the fibroids that you have and take care of the problem. But if you’re in the younger age range, 30’s and to maybe early 40’s, you still got your normal hormonal stimulation to produce the fibroids, if you’re in your mid to late 40’s you’re approaching menopause, and as you reach menopause the stimulation to form the fibroids is going to go away, so those are your odds, and if you get fibroids again, there’s no reason we can’t do the procedure again.”

See Dr. Linda Hughes’ answer to this question.

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Many women are concerned that UFE will not work because their fibroids are too large. Fibroids of any size can be treated with UFE, but it may not be the best solution for every woman. Dr. Suzanne Slonim, M.D., explains.

“The answer to that is yes, but there’s some soft limit. The literature says that once a fibroid reaches eight centimeters, which maybe the size of an orange, the result, particularly if it’s for bulk symptoms is not as good as it could be. That fibroid is going to shrink 60%, but you’re still going to be left with a 4 centimeter fibroid for example.”

“So, if a woman is really strongly averse to having surgery, then absolutely I will do your procedure and it’s going to help you, but if you have a particularly large single fibroid, that’s a good candidate for a myomectomy, in my opinion.”

See Dr. Linda Hughes’ answer to this question.

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Your body may go through several changes after your uterine fibroid embolization procedure as you adjust to decreased symptoms related to fibroids. Dr. Suzanne Slonim explains what happens to the fibroids following your UFE procedure.

“The fibroids are going to shrink about 60%. The fibroids shrink 60%, the uterus shrinks 60%, so overall there’s a significant decrease in volume. Now the fibroids don’t disappear, they get smaller, but as they get smaller they are not going to bother you anymore. It is rare for a fibroid to get expelled but it is possible, so I usually let women know about that in case they find a fibroid they don’t get alarmed by it.”

See Dr. Linda Hughes’ answer to this question.

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Suzanne Slonim will ensure that you are in good hands before, during, and after your UFE procedure. She explains that they will routinely have a month and six-month follow up:

“You’re probably going to have my cell phone number, you’ll have my office number. If you have any questions or concerns that often come up in the first week, you can call me directly, or call my office if you can’t reach me on my cell phone. The issues are usually pain, nausea, sometimes itching, sometimes constipation. We routinely have you come back at about one month for a follow-up visit, and then we like to get a six month follow up MRI.”

See Dr. Linda Hughes’ answer to this question.

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Uterine fibroids embolization is a less invasive procedure with a short recovery time and low risk of complications. The doctors that perform your treatment will make sure you are ready to go home before they discharge you. Dr. Suzanne Slonim, M.D., explains:

“You’ll stay in the hospital overnight. Almost every woman goes home the following day, usually in the early afternoon. We’ve had one woman have to stay longer than one night, and that was because of nausea and some pain control, we kept her just to make sure that she was going to be okay.”

See Dr. Linda Hughes’ answer to this question.

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The recovery time after having a Uterine Fibroid Embolization procedure done is relatively quick. According to Dr. Suzanne Slonim, most women are back to work within a week:

“Most women stay off of work for a week, now the literature says that you won’t really feel back to normal for about 10 days, but most women do return at one week. I’ve had a woman go back at three days, I’ve had a woman stay out two weeks, I will support whatever you need to do, I will write whatever paper work needs to be done, but again the vast majority go back at a week.”

See Dr. Linda Hughes’ answer to this question.

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