Learning about the small risk of premature menopause that can occur after a uterine fibroid embolization.
What causes premature menopause after an embolization?
The mechanism concerning premature menopause following embolization is uncertain; however, there are a number of factors that may play a role in premature menopause.
Premature menopause happens when menopause occurs before the age of 40. At times, premature menopause may be caused by premature ovarian failure which describes a stop in the normal functioning of the ovaries in a woman younger than the age of 40. This may be a result of non-target embolization of blood vessels leading to the ovaries. In this case, blockage of the blood supply to the ovaries can cause premature failure.
According to an article published in The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, techniques carried out by individual radiologists can also play a role in premature ovarian failure, along with rate of injection and thoroughness of blockage. In addition, aggressive embolization, as opposed to arterial embolization, can predispose the backflow of particles outside of the catheter to the ovarian arteries, further causing ovarian failure.
Ultimately, however, the age of a patient at the time of embolization has a direct effect on the occurrence of ovarian failure; therefore, patients older than the age of 40 may face a higher risk of premature menopause.
All things considered, it is suggested that patients seek embolization in the early symptomatic stage of their health issue so as to avoid increased risk of premature menopause.
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