UFE Success 3 months post
Hi all. I wanted to share my story because in my research, I’ve read so many negative experiences. Hopefully this will give another person who is struggling with fibroids hope.
I had been experiencing increasingly longer and heavier periods over the last few years since being in my late 30s to early 40s. I am 43 now. I used to have normal periods that lasted about 5-6 days, with bleeding that I felt was manageable and tapering off on the 4-6th day with light bleeding to spotting toward the end.
As I got older, I started to experience periods lasting 7 days. I remember I was about 38 and wondering why I still had light bleeding on the 7th day. I dismissed it and figured it was due to aging. Then I began to have periods lasting between 8-10 days and they became heavier with bleeding soaking through ultra tampons every two to three hours. Eventually my periods became consistently 10 days with several days of super heavy bleeding and often times literally bleeding out of my clothes. An ultra tampon would last 30-45 minutes. I had to double up with overnight pads too.
I’ve experienced Niagara Falls bleeding out in numerous places such at work, at the gym, and even on stage at a bodybuilding show (I compete). I had an ultrasound done in 2024 which revealed about a 3cm submucosal fibroid and several smaller ones (forget which kind but I believe intramural). The submucosal was in my uterus and was causing the most issues.
I began having severe anemia symptoms late 2024 (dizzy, out of breath doing normal activities like walking a flight of stairs, constant fatigue, dream like waking state). I got a blood test and was told by my doctor to immediately go to the ER as I had life threatening anemia (level was 6). I had a blood transfusion and subsequently several iron injections over the next several months. I was also prescribed Mirena. Birth control itself was fine, but it never helped with the bleeding. In fact, it became worse that I was given norithendrone acetate and another birth control.
I had strongly considered a hysterectomy, but was suggested I try a UFE first. I am so glad I did. My team prescribed pain and anti-inflammatory medication 3 days prior to the procedure. The procedure itself was painless, as I was sedated with IV via my hand. I woke up and never had any pain, just some fatigue for a few days. I never even needed the extra medicine they prescribed even though I continued to take it for a couple days after in case of pain. I was back in the gym at full strength in two weeks (I was actually feeling fine after a week, but was cautious).
My next period was still about 9 days, but I didn’t have any heavy bleeding and really just spotting from days 5-9. Same with the next period.
I was recently (1 week ago) given a hysteroscopy due to doctor being concerned for potential fibroid matter breaking down in the uterus. The submucosal was over 6cm and took up my whole uterine cavity! Doctor removed it and fitted a new IUD (due to malpositioning of my old one). I have very tiny spotting which is increasingly better for a week now. Today I had none.
I hope to continue in this trajectory because it’s literally changed my life for the better.