Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)
Treating fibroids without removing the uterus.
Uterine fibroid embolisation treats fibroids by blocking their blood supply through a pinhole in the wrist or groin. Heavy bleeding and pressure symptoms settle over months and the uterus is preserved.
What patients call it
Fibroid treatment without removing the uterus
At a glance
- What it does
- Treating fibroids without removing the uterus.
- Used for
- Uterine fibroids · Heavy menstrual bleeding from fibroids · Adenomyosis in selected patients
- How it is done
- Fibroids grow on a dense, abnormal blood supply of their own. → Both uterine arteries are catheterised through one small puncture. → Embolic particles cut off the fibroid supply while the healthy uterus keeps its own.
- Recovery
- Procedure: Day 0 - Particles cut off fibroid supply. Overnight stay. · Day 1: Discharged and light activity.
Used for
- — Uterine fibroids
- — Heavy menstrual bleeding from fibroids
- — Adenomyosis in selected patients
Symptoms & Causes
Symptoms
- — Heavy menstrual bleeding
- — Pelvic pain
- — Pressure
Common Causes
- — Uterine fibroids
Diagnosis & Treatment
How it is diagnosed
- — Ultrasound
- — MRI
The Procedure
- — Uterine fibroid embolization
Recovery & Benefits
- Procedure: Day 0 - Particles cut off fibroid supply. Overnight stay.
- Day 1: Discharged and light activity.
- 1 Week: Recovery at home / routine activity.
- 3 Months: Significant symptom relief; follow-up imaging and normal life.
Procedure sequence
- 01
Fibroids grow on a dense, abnormal blood supply of their own.
- 02
Both uterine arteries are catheterised through one small puncture.
- 03
Embolic particles cut off the fibroid supply while the healthy uterus keeps its own.
- 04
The fibroids infarct and shrink over the following months.
- 05
Bleeding settles, pressure eases, and the uterus stays.
Questions patients ask
Is fibroid embolisation better than hysterectomy?+
It treats symptoms while keeping the uterus, with a shorter recovery. Hysterectomy is definitive. The right choice depends on symptoms, fibroid pattern and personal priorities.