Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), also known as Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE), is a minimally invasive, image-guided treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids. The procedure reduces blood flow to the fibroids using embolic agents, causing them to shrink over time.
👤 Author: ISVIR UP Chapter — Educational Content Indian Society of Vascular & Interventional Radiology, Uttar Pradesh Chapter⚖ Reviewed by: To be reviewed by ISVIR UP Chapter Faculty / Senior Interventional Radiologist📅 Published: 04 Sep, 2026✓ Clinical Review Date: 01 Sep, 2026
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Quick Procedural Facts
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Imaging GuidanceFluoroscopy / Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) & Cone-Beam CT
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AnesthesiaLocal Anesthesia with Conscious Sedation
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Procedure Duration45 - 75 minutes
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Hospital Stay / RecoverySame day or 24-hour observation; back to work in 4-7 days
Patient Care & Treatment Guide
Clear, non-technical explanation to help patients and families understand this image-guided therapy.
What is this procedure?
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids. An Interventional Radiologist guides a thin catheter through a small puncture in an artery, usually in the wrist or groin, to the arteries supplying the uterus. Small embolic particles are then delivered to reduce blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink over time.
What to Expect (Before, During & After)
Before: Your doctor may recommend ultrasound or MRI to assess the size, number and location of the fibroids and to plan treatment. You may also need blood tests and other assessments based on your medical history. Tell your doctor about pregnancy possibility, medications, allergies and medical conditions.
During: The procedure is performed using image guidance, usually fluoroscopy. Local anaesthetic is used at the access site, and sedation or other medicines may be given when appropriate. A thin catheter is guided to the uterine arteries and embolic material is delivered to reduce blood flow to the fibroids.
After: Pelvic cramping, nausea or a low-grade fever can occur after UFE and are usually managed with medication. The length of observation or hospital stay depends on the individual patient and local clinical practice. Your doctor will provide instructions regarding medicines, activity and follow-up.
Key Benefits for Patients
• Minimally invasive treatment with only a small skin puncture rather than a large surgical incision.
• UFE can reduce symptoms caused by fibroids, including heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pressure or pain.
• Recovery is generally shorter than recovery from major surgical treatment, although individual recovery varies.
• Pelvic cramping and other post-embolization symptoms may occur during the early recovery period and can usually be managed with appropriate medication.
• Follow the discharge instructions provided by your treating team and attend recommended follow-up appointments.
• If you wish to become pregnant in the future, discuss fertility and treatment options carefully with your gynecologist and Interventional Radiologist before choosing UFE.
Clinical & Procedural Reference
Technical details, clinical criteria, hardware selection and procedural pearls for practicing clinicians and fellows.
💡 Key Clinical Takeaways
• UFE/UAE is a minimally invasive image-guided treatment option for symptomatic uterine fibroids.
• Treatment works by reducing arterial blood flow to the fibroids using embolic agents, leading to progressive infarction and shrinkage.
• Patient selection should consider symptoms, fibroid characteristics, imaging findings, overall clinical status, and reproductive goals.
• MRI or ultrasound may be used to assess the size, number and location of fibroids and to assist treatment planning.
• Fertility and future pregnancy plans should be specifically discussed before UFE because the effect of UFE on fertility is not fully established.
• UFE should be performed by an appropriately trained Interventional Radiologist with multidisciplinary collaboration when clinically indicated.
✔ Clinical Indications
• Symptomatic uterine fibroids causing heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
• Fibroid-related pelvic pain, pressure or bulk symptoms.
• Symptoms such as urinary frequency or other pressure-related complaints attributable to fibroids.
• Patients seeking a minimally invasive alternative to surgical treatment, when clinically appropriate.
• Patient selection should be individualized after assessment of fibroid characteristics, symptoms, medical history and reproductive goals.
• Patients considering future pregnancy should receive individualized counselling regarding available treatment options and the current uncertainty regarding the effect of UFE on fertility.
✖ Contraindications
• UFE should not be performed in patients with no symptoms from their fibroids.
• Pregnancy is a contraindication to UFE.
• Active pelvic infection or significant pelvic inflammation should be excluded before treatment.
• Suspected or known gynecologic malignancy requires appropriate diagnostic evaluation and management rather than routine UFE for presumed fibroids.
• Significant allergy to iodinated contrast or other relevant medical conditions require individualized assessment and appropriate preventive measures or alternative treatment planning.
• Final suitability for UFE should be determined after clinical and imaging assessment by the treating team.
📝 Pre-procedure Workup & Laboratory Thresholds
• Review pelvic imaging, usually ultrasound and/or MRI, to assess the size, number and location of fibroids and to support treatment planning.
• Assess symptoms, medical history, previous treatments, medications, allergies and reproductive goals.
• Pregnancy should be excluded when clinically appropriate before UFE.
• Review relevant laboratory investigations, including assessment of renal function and coagulation status, according to the patient's clinical condition and institutional protocol.
• Review current medications, including antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants and other medicines that may affect the procedure.
• Assess for active infection or other conditions that may require treatment or optimization before embolization.
• Provide individualized instructions regarding fasting, medication adjustments, contrast precautions and post-procedure arrangements.
🔧 Procedural Technique & Hardware Selection
• UFE is performed under image guidance, typically using fluoroscopy.
• Vascular access may be obtained through the femoral or radial artery according to patient factors and operator preference.
• A catheter is advanced selectively into the uterine arterial circulation under fluoroscopic guidance.
• Pelvic angiography is performed to identify the uterine arterial anatomy and relevant collateral or non-target branches.
• Embolic material is administered through the catheter to reduce blood flow to the fibroids while minimizing non-target embolization.
• Treatment is performed on the uterine arterial supply as appropriate to the individual vascular anatomy and procedural findings.
• Choice of catheter, microcatheter and embolic agent should be individualized according to vascular anatomy, fibroid characteristics, operator experience and institutional practice.
• Completion angiography is performed to assess the treatment result and exclude significant non-target embolization.
🏥 Post-Procedure Care Protocol
• Monitor the patient after UFE according to the access site, sedation used, clinical condition and institutional protocol.
• Assess pain, nausea, vital signs and the vascular access site during the recovery period.
• Provide appropriate analgesia and antiemetic treatment according to the patient's symptoms and local protocol.
• Observe for access-site bleeding, hematoma, vascular complications, allergic reaction and other procedure-related complications.
• Pelvic cramping, mild nausea and low-grade fever may occur during the early post-procedure period and can generally be managed with appropriate medication.
• Determine discharge versus overnight observation based on clinical stability, symptom control, access-site status and institutional practice.
• Provide clear discharge instructions regarding medications, activity, hydration, wound/access-site care and warning symptoms.
• Arrange appropriate clinical follow-up and, when indicated, follow-up imaging to assess symptom response and fibroid treatment effect.
• Patients should be advised to seek medical attention for severe or worsening pain, persistent fever, heavy bleeding, signs of infection, significant bleeding or swelling at the access site, or other concerning symptoms.
⚠ Complications & Management
• Post-embolization symptoms such as pelvic pain or cramping, nausea and low-grade fever may occur during the early recovery period.
• Vascular access complications may include bleeding, bruising, hematoma or, rarely, vascular injury.
• Infection is an uncommon but important complication and requires appropriate clinical assessment and treatment when suspected.
• Contrast-related allergic reactions may occur and should be managed according to established institutional protocols.
• Non-target embolization is a potential procedural risk and careful angiographic assessment is required to minimize this risk.
• Passage of fibroid tissue through the cervix can occasionally occur, particularly with fibroids that are closely related to the uterine cavity.
• Rarely, significant uterine injury or persistent symptoms may require further intervention, including surgical treatment.
• Menstrual changes may occur after UFE, and ovarian function may be affected in some patients.
• The effect of UFE on future fertility remains an important consideration; patients wishing to become pregnant should receive individualized counselling before treatment.
• Prompt evaluation is required for severe or persistent pain, fever, heavy bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, suspected infection or significant access-site complications.
📄 Clinical Case File
Case Discussion & Step-by-Step Findings
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Patient Privacy & Anonymity Notice:In compliance with medical ethics and clinical confidentiality guidelines, all personal identifiers, medical record numbers, and identifying details have been removed or de-identified. This case presentation is published exclusively for peer medical education and scientific learning.
1
Clinical Presentation & Symptoms
Not applicable — this article is a general educational overview of Uterine Fibroid Embolization and does not describe an individual patient case.
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Relevant Medical History & Baseline Labs
Not applicable — no individual patient data are presented.
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Pre-procedural Diagnostic Imaging Findings
Not applicable — no individual patient imaging study is presented.
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Working Clinical Diagnosis
Symptomatic uterine fibroids (uterine leiomyomas) — general educational discussion.
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Intervention Performed & Hardware
This article describes the general principles of uterine fibroid embolization. No individual patient procedure or patient-specific hardware selection is presented.
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Clinical Outcome & Follow-Up
Not applicable — individual patient outcome and follow-up data are not presented.
Comprehensive Procedural & Scientific Review
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), also referred to as Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE), is a well-established, evidence-based, minimally invasive image-guided procedure for the management of symptomatic uterine leiomyomas.
Under fluoroscopic guidance, bilateral uterine arteries are selectively catheterized via common femoral or transradial access, followed by controlled delivery of calibrated embolic microspheres until arterial stasis is achieved.
COMMON INQUIRIES
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)?▾
UFE is a minimally invasive, image-guided treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Small embolic agents are delivered through a catheter to reduce blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink over time.
Why is UFE performed?▾
UFE may be considered for symptomatic fibroids causing problems such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, and pressure-related urinary symptoms.
Is UFE a surgery?▾
UFE is a minimally invasive procedure rather than conventional open surgery. It is performed through a small vascular access site using a catheter and image guidance.
How is UFE performed?▾
An Interventional Radiologist guides a thin catheter into the arteries supplying the uterus under fluoroscopic guidance. Embolic material is then delivered to reduce blood flow to the fibroids.
Will I feel pain during or after UFE?▾
Some patients experience pelvic cramping or pain after UFE. Nausea and a low-grade fever may also occur. These symptoms can usually be managed with appropriate medication.
How long does recovery take?▾
Recovery varies between patients. Some patients may go home the same day, while others may require observation or an overnight stay. Return to normal activities depends on individual recovery and medical advice.
Can I become pregnant after UFE?▾
The effect of UFE on fertility is not fully established. Anyone considering future pregnancy should discuss fertility goals and alternative treatment options with their gynecologist and Interventional Radiologist before choosing UFE.
Can UFE be performed during pregnancy?▾
UFE is not an option during pregnancy. Pregnancy should be discussed and appropriately excluded before the procedure when clinically indicated.
Are there risks associated with UFE?▾
As with any invasive procedure, UFE has potential risks including vascular access complications, infection, contrast reactions and non-target embolization. Your treating team will discuss the individual risks and benefits before treatment.
Will I need follow-up after UFE?▾
Yes. Follow-up allows the treating team to assess symptom improvement and, when appropriate, use imaging to evaluate the treatment response.
📚 References & Further Reading
1. RadiologyInfo.org. Uterine Fibroid Treatments, UFE, MRgFUS. American College of Radiology and Radiological Society of North America. Reviewed October 31, 2024.
2. RadiologyInfo.org. Catheter Embolization. American College of Radiology and Radiological Society of North America. Reviewed August 5, 2024.
3. Society of Interventional Radiology. Uterine Fibroids and Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) Treatment. Patient education resource.
4. RadiologyInfo.org. Appropriateness Criteria: Management of Uterine Leiomyomas. American College of Radiology and Radiological Society of North America.
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Medical Safety & Clinical Information Disclaimer:
The information and educational materials on the ISVIR UP Chapter knowledge portal are provided for medical educational, scientific training, and patient informational purposes only. They do not constitute individualized medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Patients must consult a qualified Interventional Radiologist or licensed medical practitioner regarding specific symptoms or conditions. Physicians and trainees must exercise independent clinical judgement.
