Frequently Asked Questions About UFE

UFE (Uterine Fibroid Embolization) is a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks fibroids by cutting off their blood supply. A trained interventional radiologist (a physician who uses imaging to guide precise procedures) inserts a thin catheter — a flexible tube smaller than a spaghetti noodle — through a tiny puncture in your wrist or groin.

Using real-time X-ray guidance (called fluoroscopy), the catheter is guided to the uterine arteries — the blood vessels that supply your fibroids. Tiny particles (about the size of a grain of sand) are injected to block blood flow. Without blood, fibroids gradually shrink and die over the next several months. The procedure takes 60–90 minutes and requires no incisions, no stitches, and no general anesthesia.

UFE is a very safe procedure with an excellent safety record. Serious complications occur in less than 1% of cases. Common expected effects include post-procedure cramping and flu-like symptoms (called post-embolization syndrome) for the first 1–2 weeks — these are normal and managed with medication.

Uncommon risks include infection (<1%), bruising at the catheter site, non-target embolization (rare), and the need for additional treatment (~10% over 5 years). UFE has a significantly lower complication rate than hysterectomy or open myomectomy. We discuss all potential risks in detail during your consultation based on your specific anatomy.

Most pre-menopausal women with symptomatic uterine fibroids are candidates for UFE. Ideal candidates have confirmed fibroids (by ultrasound or MRI), symptoms that significantly affect their daily life, and a desire to avoid surgery or preserve their uterus.

UFE may not be recommended if you are currently pregnant, have an active pelvic infection, have been diagnosed with gynecological cancer, or have certain other medical conditions. The best way to determine if UFE is right for you is a one-on-one consultation with our specialist. Take our quick UFE Candidacy Quiz as a starting point, or call us today.

UFE is performed under moderate sedation ("twilight sedation") and local anesthetic at the catheter site. You will be relaxed and drowsy throughout the procedure and will not feel pain during it. You may be aware of some sensations but will not experience significant discomfort.

After the procedure — typically within a few hours as the sedation wears off — most women experience pelvic cramping similar to (but usually stronger than) their worst menstrual cramps. This is completely expected and effectively managed with prescription pain medication. The cramping typically peaks in the first 12–24 hours and improves significantly by day 2–4.

This is one of the most important questions we receive, and we take it seriously. The research shows that many women do successfully conceive and carry pregnancies to term after UFE. However, UFE is not currently recommended as the primary treatment for women whose main goal is future pregnancy — myomectomy (surgical fibroid removal) remains the preferred option if pregnancy is your primary concern.

If fertility is important to you, we strongly recommend discussing your specific situation in detail with our specialist before making any treatment decision. We work collaboratively with fertility specialists and will always put your best interests first — even if that means recommending a different treatment path.

UFE recovery is dramatically shorter than surgical fibroid treatments. Here's a general timeline: Days 1–2: Rest at home, moderate to significant cramping, managed with prescribed pain medication. Days 3–7: Cramping gradually improves, you can begin light activities around the house. Days 7–14: Most women feel significantly better and can return to desk work, light activities, and short errands.

Women with desk/office jobs typically return to work in 7–10 days. Women with physically demanding jobs (nursing, retail, physical labor) typically need 2 full weeks. Heavy exercise (running, gym, heavy lifting) is usually resumed at 4–6 weeks. Most women are surprised by how much quicker recovery is compared to their expectations — and especially compared to surgical alternatives (6–8 weeks for hysterectomy, 4–6 weeks for myomectomy).

Post-embolization syndrome (PES) is a flu-like response that many women experience in the first 1–2 weeks after UFE. It includes low-grade fever (usually below 102°F), fatigue, body aches, nausea, and a general feeling of being unwell — similar to having the flu. This is NOT dangerous; it is your body's normal inflammatory response to the treated fibroid tissue.

PES typically peaks in the first 72 hours and gradually improves over 1–2 weeks. It is managed with prescribed anti-inflammatory medications and rest. You should contact our office if you develop fever above 102°F that doesn't respond to medication, as this could indicate an infection that needs treatment.

After UFE, most women notice significant changes in their menstrual cycle, typically within 3 months: Lighter bleeding — most women report 50–90% reduction in blood flow. Shorter periods — many women's periods shorten from 7–10 days to 3–5 days. Less cramping — many women report dramatically reduced menstrual pain. More predictable cycles — periods may regulate more consistently.

Some women experience skipped or irregular periods for 1–3 cycles immediately after UFE, especially if they were approaching perimenopause. In women over 45 who were already perimenopausal, UFE occasionally precipitates early menopause (6–10% of cases). If you are premenopausal and under 40, this risk is very low. We discuss each patient's individual risk during consultation.

UFE has consistently strong success rates in clinical studies: 85–95% of women experience significant or complete symptom relief. Heavy bleeding improves in 85–90% of patients. Pelvic pain and pressure improve in approximately 85% of patients. Urinary frequency and bowel symptoms improve as fibroids shrink. Fibroids typically shrink 40–70% in volume by 6–12 months. Overall patient satisfaction is reported at 85–94% at 5 years.

Long-term studies (5–7 years) show UFE's outcomes are comparable to hysterectomy for symptom relief — with the significant advantages of uterus preservation, faster recovery, and far lower surgical risk. About 10–20% of women require additional treatment over 5 years (usually repeat UFE or, if needed, surgery).

Fibroids that are treated with UFE do not "come back" — the treated fibroids die from lack of blood supply and stay gone. However, women who are premenopausal and still have active estrogen may occasionally develop new small fibroids from fibroid cells that were not effectively treated, particularly if very small fibroids were present at the time of UFE.

The rate of requiring additional treatment after UFE is approximately 10–20% within 5 years. This is similar to (or better than) the recurrence rate seen with myomectomy, where 25–50% of women need re-treatment within 5 years. With hysterectomy, fibroids cannot recur because the uterus is removed — but many women prefer to preserve their uterus even knowing this trade-off.

The timeline for symptom improvement varies, but here's what most women experience: First menstrual period after UFE (typically 4–8 weeks): many women notice lighter bleeding at this first period. 1–3 months: heavy bleeding dramatically improves for most patients. 3–6 months: pelvic pressure, bladder symptoms, and bloating significantly improve as fibroids shrink. 6–12 months: maximum fibroid shrinkage typically reached; energy levels recover as iron stores rebuild if you had anemia.

Some women notice improvement earlier — even before their first post-UFE period. We check in with every patient at 2 weeks and perform a follow-up MRI at 3 months to document fibroid shrinkage and ensure you're getting the results you deserve.

Yes — UFE is covered by most major health insurance plans, including Medicare, when medically necessary. UFE has been a recognized standard of care for symptomatic uterine fibroids since the late 1990s and is included in coverage guidelines for most major insurers including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and more.

Our insurance and billing specialist will verify your specific benefits, calculate your expected out-of-pocket cost, and handle all pre-authorization paperwork on your behalf before your procedure. We do not want financial concerns to stand between you and the care you need. Please contact us and we'll give you a clear picture of your coverage.

Once you're scheduled, we'll provide detailed, personalized preparation instructions. In general: You'll need a pelvic MRI before the procedure. Blood tests are required (complete blood count, kidney function, blood type). You'll fast for 4–6 hours before the procedure (nothing to eat or drink). Blood-thinning medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin) may need to be paused. Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours. Prepare your recovery space at home before the procedure day. Fill any prescribed pre-procedure medications in advance. Many patients find it helpful to prepare entertainment (books, TV shows, podcasts) for the first week of recovery.

For most women — particularly those under 45 — UFE does not cause menopause. Your ovaries are not affected by the procedure, and your hormonal cycle continues normally. Natural menopause occurs at its natural time.

However, in a small percentage of women over 45 who were already in perimenopause (the transition years before menopause), UFE can occasionally trigger earlier onset of menopause. Studies report this rate at 6–10% in women over 45. For younger women (<40), this risk is very rare. This topic will be discussed thoroughly during your consultation based on your age, hormonal status, and individual anatomy.

UFE is often an excellent option for women with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or other conditions that increase the risk of general anesthesia and surgery. Because UFE does not require general anesthesia or large incisions, many of the risks that make surgery more dangerous in medically complex patients are reduced or eliminated.

That said, certain conditions (severe kidney disease, active infection, certain clotting disorders, or specific allergies to contrast dye) may affect whether UFE can be safely performed. Our team will review your full medical history during consultation to ensure UFE is safe for your individual situation.