Symptoms Improvement after Uterine Artery Embolization for Myomas Management

Abstract

Background: Management of uterine myomas aims at improving symptoms that can be a problem and interfere in the patient’s quality of life. Less invasive approaches, such as uterine artery embolization (UAE), for selected patients is supposed to be a safer choice. Methods: Thirty-one women (mean age 38.5 ± 5.9) with symptomatic uterine myomas underwent UAE. All them scored 0 (mildest) to 10 (worst) for discomforting symptoms (abdominal pain (cramping) during and out of menstrual periods; bleeding during and out of menstrual periods; discomforting abdominal swelling; pain during sexual intercourse; general discomfort in diary activities and in social activities) before and 90 days after UAE. Results: Mean scores before and 90 days after UAE were significantly different for all symptoms, except for pain in sexual intercourse. Scores for bleeding out of menstrual periods increased after UAE, and decreased for all the other symptoms. Total scores before management (43.8 ± 25.4) decreased significantly (p<0.001) three months after UAE (16.1 ± 22.6). Conclusion: Clinical outcomes from UAE were very positive for this group of women, especially those presenting higher mean scores for abdominal pain and bleeding during menstrual periods.