Dear Dr. Donohue — I suffer from uterine fibroids. they causeheavy, prolonged bleeding and pain. I have decided to go for theprocedure called uterine fibroid embolization. are there any sideeffects regarding the pellets that are used to block off bloodsupply to the fibroids? Do you know of any long-term side effects?— C.I.

Answer — I know of no medical procedure or medicine that iswithout side effects. Uterine artery or uterine fibroidembolization is a safe procedure that has no more complicationsthan surgical treatment of fibroids. Long-term complications fromthe particles used in this treatment are few and far between. Ican’t find any specific reference that cites them. Driving to thehospital for the procedure poses greater danger than the proceduredoes.

Fibroids are growths of the uterine muscle projecting into theuterine cavity. for many women, they’re completely quiet andproduce no symptoms. for others, they cause heavy menstrualbleeding, painful periods, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse andinfertility.

An embolus is a clot. Embolization involves introducing aflexible tube into a surface artery in the groin and advancing thetube to the uterine artery serving the fibroid. When the doctor hasit positioned there, he or she releases small particles about thesize of grains of sand. those particles are inert, sterilematerials. they promote formation of a blood clot. cut off from ablood supply, the fibroid shrinks.

This isn’t a new technique. in the 1980s, doctors began usingembolization to stop uterine bleeding. in the 1990s, they adaptedit for treatment of fibroids. It’s a method that has two to threedecades of experience with a complication rate that is very low.Anytime the body is breached, infection is possible. A few cases oflung blood clotting have been reported because the blood, followingthe procedure, is believed to have an increased tendency to clot.those instances have been extremely rare.

The booklet on fibroids discusses the treatments at length.Obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — no. 1106, Box 536475,Orlando, Fla. 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash)for $4.75 with the recipient’s printed name and address. Pleaseallow four weeks for delivery.

Dear Dr. Donohue — I am a woman who loves tropical fruits.Instead of a salad for supper, I eat low-fat cottage cheese andtropical fruit. The fruits include pineapple, red papaya, guava andbananas. am I doing something wrong? — S.L.

Answer — Not if you’re getting other food groups, like proteinsand unsaturated fats in your other meals. you need some grains,vegetables and protein sources such as lean meat and beans. Youalso need the vitamins and minerals those foods contain.

Write Dr. Donohue at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, Fla.32853-6475.