What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization, or UFE?

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE, sometimes referred to as UAE – uterine artery embolization) is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of uterine fibroids. The process typically lasts less than an hour and requires only a small nick in the skin. The procedure blocks the blood supply to the uterine fibroids, causing them to shrink. As one of the alternatives to hysterectomy procedures, UFE is widely performed and relieves the symptoms of uterine fibroids.

Previously, women needed to have the uterus removed to treat symptomatic fibroids. With fibroid embolization procedures, women can keep their uterus and ovaries but still treat the pain and bleeding associated with fibroid disease. During the embolization procedure, a small catheter is placed into the arteries feeding the fibroid. Small particles are delivered into the artery to stop the blood flow into the fibroid.

The one hour procedure is done within our center. Patients will recover for several hours then be discharged to the comfort of their home. No overnight hospitalizations and long rehabilitation is required. Patients are encouraged to return to normal activity as soon as the next day.