What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are benign growths of the uterus.

Fibroids will be discovered:

• Bulging from the within of the uterus (submucous)
• Within the muscle wall of the uterus (myometrial)
• Extending exterior of the uterus (serous)

About 8 in 10 girls could have fibroids sooner or later of their lives.

Most ladies with fibroids don’t have signs and don’t want remedy. However girls who do want remedy have medical and surgical choices. One sort of surgical remedy is radiofrequency ablation.

What’s RFA?

RFA is a surgical process performed beneath basic anesthesia that makes use of warmth to destroy fibroid tissue.

Laparoscopic RFA is a minimally invasive process carried out with a laparoscope, a skinny device with a digital camera on the top. This permits the physician to see the uterus and discover out the place the fibroids are.

The physician makes two small cuts within the stomach button and the decrease abdomen space. Then they insert small instruments to make the fibroids smaller utilizing warmth and power (ablation).

The place does RFA happen and who does it?

A gynecologist often performs the outpatient process, and sufferers typically go residence inside a few hours after surgical procedure.

Who’re the very best candidates for RFA?

RFA is really useful for folks with signs who need to preserve their uterus.

Individuals with “bulk signs,” which make the uterus greater, are the very best candidates.

Bulk signs embrace:

• Bladder stress
• Frequent urination or not having the ability to urinate
• Decrease again ache
• Constipation
• Heavy menstrual bleeding

How are you going to put together for RFA?

• Ask a surgeon how usually they do a lot of these surgical procedures. Attempt to discover one who performs gynecologic surgical procedure usually.
• Have a biopsy performed earlier than RFA.
• If really useful, have an ultrasound or MRI earlier than RFA.
• Be certain your Pap and HPV checks are updated.
• Be sure you should not pregnant.
• When you’ve got an IUD (intrauterine machine), have it eliminated earlier than the surgical procedure.

What are you able to count on throughout restoration from RFA?

Chances are you’ll really feel prepared to return to work and actions inside 4 to 7 days.

For the primary few days after surgical procedure, it’s possible you’ll expertise:

• Excessive tiredness
• Fever
• Urinary tract an infection (UTI) signs
• Low urge for food
• Low power
• Ache

You shouldn’t put something in your vagina for 2 weeks after surgical procedure.

Many sufferers really feel that RFA is efficient in eliminating their signs inside 3 to six months.

What are the dangers of RFA?

All surgical procedures have some danger of complication from anesthesia, in addition to danger of an infection, blood clots and bleeding.

Laparoscopic RFA is a low-risk process. However dangers could embrace:

• Damage to the bladder, intestines or different organs close to the uterus
• Cramping and vaginal discharge after the surgical procedure
• New fibroids showing and needing remedy
• Attainable issues in future pregnancies

This useful resource was created with help from Hologic.