Here's What to Expect after UFE

If you’re wondering what to expect after treating uterine fibroids with embolization, we have answers, both from real women who’ve undergone this procedure and from scientific data. Influencers like Miss Cara Maria have gone on Instagram with the White Dress Project to discuss what happens after Uterine Fibroid Embolization, or UFE. (The White Dress Project—established by Tanika Gray Valburn—aims to spread fibroid awareness to help women suffering from fibroid symptoms find enough relief to feel comfortable wearing a white dress all month long.)

We’ve also seen scientific research talking about life after UFE. In particular, this study talks about the symptom relief you can expect from this procedure. It also highlights UFE’s safety profile along with the long-term results you can expect to enjoy.

Now, there are multiple treatment options if you need fibroid relief. And, for women who are considering UFE, you may want to know what to expect after UFE, especially in the first few weeks and months. So, to help you properly prepare for your procedure, we're devoting today's post to sharing Cara's first-hand account of life post-UFE.

What to Expect After UFE: Real Life Stories

When taking to Instagram, Cara had undergone UFE treatment 1.5 months previously, treating a 16 cm uterine fibroid. And, with that large tumor, she experienced such an enlarged uterus that people often asked if she was pregnant.

Initially, her doctor wanted to stop fibroid growth by putting her on menopause-inducing hormones; then, he wanted to perform myomectomy surgery. Scared of the procedure, Cara researched less invasive options, and was pleased to discover that she was a UFE candidate.

During her research, Cara learned that UFE shrinks fibroid tumors by reducing blood flow to the arteries that feed them, without impacting blood flow in any other arteries. In turn, the fibroids shrink over the course of 3 months to 1 year following the procedure. Best of all, says Cara, she was excited to learn that she would be “in and out, with no long recovery period” after UFE. And, fairly soon after her procedure, she could already notice a difference in the burden of her fibroid symptoms.

What to Expect The First Week After UFE: Fast Recovery, With Some Normal Discomfort

Cara says her UFE procedure happened on a Monday, and the first few days were “brutal,” mostly, she admitted, because she skipped taking her prescribed pain medication. (She also had painful gas after the procedure.) But this normal discomfort was short-lived. And, by Friday, she felt much better, experiencing a much faster recovery than if she'd had surgery.

A week later, she resumed exercise, while listening to her body and “taking it easy” for a few more weeks. But 1.5 months post-UFE, she said, “I’m doing amazing. I feel great.” Now, she's slowly noticing that feelings of bloating and fullness are going away. She does still have some bleeding, and she wears a tampon each day to prevent leaking, but her flow is less than that of a normal cycle. Also, she is aware that this flow if caused by a ‘dying off’ fibroid, and is a normal effect of UFE in the first 3 months after the procedure.

But what about fibroid shrinkage? As Cara posted her story, her tumor was still actively shrinking, so she couldn't yet see a major visual difference in her body. Now, at Texas Endovascular, we set patient-reported improvement as our primary goal. And Cara says that she can already feel a major improvement in her symptoms, even though she knows the tumor is going to keep shrinking for some time. In fact, her follow up scan is not scheduled until 6 months after the UFE procedure, a point at which she can expect to see a tumor that’s drastically reduced in size.

What Does the Science Say?

While patient-reported results are important, we know that every woman’s body is different. For that reason, it’s nice to have some solid research so women can feel confident knowing what to expect after UFE. So here it is: In a April 2026 study published in Polish Gynecology, researchers looked at fibroid symptom reduction following UFE, assessing the procedure’s long-term efficacy. And, after following 104 women who treated symptomatic fibroids with this procedure, they concluded, “Uterine artery embolization significantly reduced symptoms, particularly bleeding-related complaints, with sustained efficacy across short-, mid-, and long-term follow-up.” In other words, while the first week or so following UFE may be a bit uncomfortable, the long-term symptom relief you experience—without surgery—can help offset that discomfort.

Are you like Cara, and seeking fibroid relief that doesn't involve invasive surgery? Our fibroid specialists are ready to review your options and help decide if UFE is right for you. You can follow the link to request a consultation at one of our seven locations in the greater Houston and Dallas regions.