Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- Foreword
- 1 Uterine fibroids: epidemiology and an overview
- 2 Histopathology of uterine leiomyomas
- 3 Imaging of uterine leiomyomas
- 4 Abdominal myomectomy
- 5 Laparoscopic managment of uterine myoma
- 6 Hysteroscopic myomectomy
- 7 Myomas in pregnancy
- 8 Expectant and medical management of uterine fibroids
- 9 Hysterectomy for uterine fibroid
- 10 History of embolization of uterine myoma
- 11 Uterine artery embolization – vascular anatomic considerations and procedure techniques
- 12 Pain management during and after uterine artery embolization
- 13 Patient selection, indications and contraindications
- 14 Results of uterine artery embolization
- 15 Side effects and complications of embolization
- 16 Reproductive function after uterine artery embolization
- 17 Reasons and prevention of embolization failure
- 18 Future of embolization and other therapies from gynecologic perspectives
- 19 The future of fibroid embolotherapy: a radiological perspective
- Index
- Plate section
16 - Reproductive function after uterine artery embolization
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 November 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- Foreword
- 1 Uterine fibroids: epidemiology and an overview
- 2 Histopathology of uterine leiomyomas
- 3 Imaging of uterine leiomyomas
- 4 Abdominal myomectomy
- 5 Laparoscopic managment of uterine myoma
- 6 Hysteroscopic myomectomy
- 7 Myomas in pregnancy
- 8 Expectant and medical management of uterine fibroids
- 9 Hysterectomy for uterine fibroid
- 10 History of embolization of uterine myoma
- 11 Uterine artery embolization – vascular anatomic considerations and procedure techniques
- 12 Pain management during and after uterine artery embolization
- 13 Patient selection, indications and contraindications
- 14 Results of uterine artery embolization
- 15 Side effects and complications of embolization
- 16 Reproductive function after uterine artery embolization
- 17 Reasons and prevention of embolization failure
- 18 Future of embolization and other therapies from gynecologic perspectives
- 19 The future of fibroid embolotherapy: a radiological perspective
- Index
- Plate section
Summary
Leiomyoma is the most common benign tumor occurring in the uterus and in the female pelvis. It is estimated that 25% of women over the age of 35 years have leiomyoma. Accordingly, not all women with myoma should be treated. As women continue to delay their childbearing until the third and fourth decades of life, leiomyoma will be encountered more frequently.
One of the newest treatments of uterine leiomyomata is uterine artery embolization (UAE). The main purpose of UAE is to reduce the size of the myomata and to treat excessive uterine bleeding. In a review of 119 cases of UAE, the authors reported that about 70% of the patients had an immediate cessation of menorrhagia and improvement of pain and pressure symptoms after the procedure. At six months follow-up, the total uterine volume decreased by 56% and the average diameter of the largest myoma decreased by 36%.
The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effects of UAE on reproductive function.
Uterine fibroids and fertility
The association between leiomyoma and infertility has been discussed for many years. Current evidence suggests that leiomyoma that deforms the uterine cavity decreases fertility. This could be related to poor implantation site or to impaired gamete transport. The best evidence came from the experience in in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Uterine FibroidsEmbolization and other Treatments, pp. 119 - 124Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2003