Symptom relief rate
Go home same-day
Back to normal activities
No hysterectomy needed
Cramping or pelvic pain that is usually temporary and managed with medication.
Rare reaction to contrast dye or embolic materials; patients are closely monitored.
Some bleeding is expected; report excessive or prolonged bleeding to your provider.
Very rare; minimized by the careful navigation of a skilled interventional radiologist.
No hospital stay. Most patients go home within hours.
A single pinhole in the wrist or groin. No abdominal cut.
Every fibroid is targeted in a single session, regardless of count.
No hysterectomy. Your uterus and potential fertility stay intact.
UFE is an outpatient procedure done through a single pinhole incision under light sedation. Most patients are home within hours.
Mild cramping and fatigue are normal for the first day or two, and are well controlled with prescribed or over-the-counter medication.
Most women return to work and everyday activities within 7–10 days — a fraction of the 6–8 week recovery after a hysterectomy.
Fibroids shrink steadily over the following months, and about 9 in 10 women see significant relief from heavy bleeding, pressure, and pain.
| Treatment | Invasiveness | Recovery Time | Preserves Uterus | Fertility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFE WHAT WE DO | Minimally invasive | 1–2 weeks | Yes | Pregnancy possible |
| Myomectomy | Surgical | 4–6 weeks | Yes | Preserved |
| Hysterectomy | Major surgery | 6–8 weeks | No | Ends fertility |
Review the full fibroid treatment comparison breakdown on our Fibroids Treatment Options page
Board-certified interventional radiologists deliver expert care using the latest minimally invasive fibroid treatments.
Advanced imaging technology plans and guides each procedure with precision for safer, more effective outcomes.
Clinics throughout Houston and Dallas–Fort Worth make advanced fibroid care easy to access close to home.
1331 West Grand Parkway
N, Suite 210
Katy, TX 77493
3920 W Wheatland Rd
Suite 108
Dallas, TX 75237
5425 W. Spring Creek Parkway
Suite 100
Plano, TX 75024
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that treats fibroids by blocking their blood supply, causing them to shrink over time and helping relieve symptoms.
During the procedure, a board-certified interventional radiologist inserts a thin, flexible catheter through a small puncture in an artery in the wrist or groin. Using X-ray guidance and angiography to map the blood vessels, the physician guides the catheter into the uterine arteries and injects tiny particles that block blood flow to the fibroids while preserving the surrounding uterus.
UFE does not require a hospital stay, and most patients return home the same day to recover. Unlike a hysterectomy, it does not involve a large surgical incision or leave a significant visible scar.
Many women return to work and normal activities within about a week, although recovery varies by patient. UFE offers an effective alternative to major surgery for appropriately selected women who want to preserve their uterus.
A thin catheter is guided through a pinhole in your wrist or groin to the uterine arteries using live imaging. Tiny particles are released to block blood flow to every fibroid at once. The fibroids then shrink over the following weeks and months while healthy uterine tissue is preserved.
Radial artery access allows UFE to be performed through an artery in the wrist rather than the groin. Traditional groin access often requires lying flat for 4–6 hours after the procedure. With wrist access, patients can sit up and walk soon after treatment, with most going home within 1–2 hours. This advanced approach offers greater comfort, less pain, and fewer complications than groin access.
After UFE, fibroids lose their blood supply, shrink, and stop causing symptoms. The small particles injected into the uterine arteries block blood flow to the fibroids, so the heavy bleeding and pain they cause resolve quickly.
Over time, treated fibroids shrink as their blood supply is blocked, helping relieve symptoms such as pelvic pressure, frequent urination, and heavy menstrual bleeding. The tiny particles used in UFE are designed to remain in the targeted blood vessels and are made from biocompatible materials. For appropriately selected patients, UFE offers an effective treatment option with strong long-term outcomes and high patient satisfaction.
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical outpatient procedure with a low risk of serious complications. Potential side effects include changes in menstrual cycles and prolonged vaginal discharge.
Because the blood vessels supplying the uterus are near those supplying the ovaries, UFE can sometimes affect ovarian function and, in some cases, lead to early menopause. This risk is higher in women over age 45 and has been reported in up to 15% of patients in this age group.
Other uncommon complications include:
Infection: Occurs in less than 1% of patients.
Fibroid expulsion: Occurs in approximately 2% of patients, with a higher risk for fibroids located within the uterine cavity. A pelvic MRI before treatment helps identify fibroid location and assess this risk.
Non-target embolization: Occurs when particles reach blood vessels outside the intended treatment area. This is exceedingly rare, reported in fewer than 1 in 1,000 patients.
Your interventional radiologist will review your medical history and imaging to assess potential risks and determine whether UFE is an appropriate treatment option for you.
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is highly effective at relieving fibroid-related symptoms. In one long-term study, among patients who did not require additional intervention, heavy menstrual bleeding improved in 97% and bulk-related symptoms improved in 92%.
These symptoms can include pelvic pain or pressure, frequent urination, and abdominal fullness. Patient satisfaction is also high, with studies reporting that the majority of patients are satisfied with their results.
Read the published research on long-term UFE outcomes and symptom relief and patient satisfaction after UFE.
Good candidates are women with symptomatic fibroids whose symptoms have not improved with medication or hormonal therapy, and who want to avoid major surgery or keep their uterus. UFE may not be appropriate for asymptomatic fibroids, certain cancers, vascular disorders, heart disease, or compromised kidney function. A consultation confirms candidacy.
Yes, many women have had successful pregnancies after UFE. However, research on fertility and pregnancy outcomes after UFE is still evolving.
Women who wish to preserve fertility may also consider a myomectomy, which surgically removes fibroids and may improve fertility.
The best option depends on your fibroids, reproductive goals, and overall health. Discuss both options with your doctor to determine which is right for you.
The main difference is that UFE preserves the uterus while a hysterectomy removes it. Both treat fibroids effectively, but they differ significantly in invasiveness, recovery, and scarring.
A hysterectomy is major surgery. It typically requires a 4–6 week recovery, significant time off work, and leaves a surgical scar — a horizontal scar that can be hidden by a swimsuit if the uterus is small enough, or a more noticeable vertical midline scar if the uterus is moderately sized or larger. Women who form keloids may develop larger, more visible, and sometimes painful scars.
UFE is an outpatient, non-surgical procedure with minimal downtime. Most women resume normal activity and return to work after about one week. We perform UFE through an artery in the wrist, which allows faster recovery and leaves no noticeable scar. A 2008 ACOG practice bulletin confirms uterine artery embolization as a safe and effective option for women who wish to retain their uterus.
Myomectomy is surgery that removes individual fibroids while preserving the uterus, with a recovery similar to other surgeries. UFE treats all fibroids at once by cutting off their blood supply, with no incision, a shorter recovery, and fewer risks.
Endometrial ablation destroys the lining of the uterus to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding, but it does not treat fibroids themselves and it is only recommended for women who don't wish to become pregnant. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) treats the root cause by cutting off the fibroids' blood supply, causing them to shrink and die. Unlike endometrial ablation, UFE preserves the uterus, and a safe pregnancy afterward is possible.
Yes, UFE can treat a very large uterus with multiple fibroids. During the procedure, tiny particles are injected into the uterine arteries and flow downstream to cut off the blood supply to the fibroids, which then shrink to about one-third of their original size. For a large uterus, this reduction usually takes about 3 months, and sometimes up to 6 months depending on the original size.
If reducing abdominal bulk as quickly as possible is a patient's primary goal, a hysterectomy may provide a more immediate result, although removing a significantly enlarged uterus may require an open abdominal incision. UFE offers a less invasive alternative, with the uterus preserved and fibroids shrinking gradually over time. Many patients experience meaningful relief from abdominal fullness and pressure as the fibroids shrink, though results and timelines vary.
Most women return to work and normal activities about one week after UFE. As an outpatient procedure, UFE requires no hospital stay, so you can recover in the comfort of your own home.
Plan to spend about 6 hours with us on procedure day. We’ll send you home with medication to manage discomfort and check in regularly to support your recovery.
Fibroids successfully treated with UFE shrink over time and typically do not regrow. However, if some fibroid tissue remains viable, it may grow and cause symptoms to return. New fibroids can also develop while the uterus remains, sometimes requiring additional treatment. Fibroids often shrink after menopause as hormone levels decline.
Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) | Long-term UFE outcomes research review
Most major insurance plans cover UFE as an established treatment for uterine fibroids. Because we perform UFE in our outpatient office, your out-of-pocket costs may be significantly lower than hospital-based treatment.
Our experienced team works directly with your insurance company to verify coverage and address questions before your procedure.
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