What Is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
Uterine Fibroid Embolization, or UFE, is an image-guided procedure performed by an interventional radiologist to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids. Unlike a hysterectomy or myomectomy, UFE does not involve surgical removal of tissue. Instead, it targets the blood supply that feeds the fibroids, causing them to shrink over time while the uterus is preserved.
During UFE, a thin catheter is guided through a small skin puncture into the uterine arteries under real-time X-ray imaging. Tiny particles are then delivered through the catheter to block blood flow to the fibroid tissue. Without a blood supply, the fibroids gradually decrease in size and the symptoms they cause — heavy periods, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, and pain — diminish accordingly.
Symptoms UFE Is Designed to Address
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Pelvic pain or pressure
- Frequent need to urinate due to fibroid pressing on the bladder
- Bloating or abdominal fullness
- Anemia caused by significant blood loss
How UFE Compares to Surgical Options
A hysterectomy removes the uterus entirely and is considered definitive — fibroids cannot recur after the uterus is gone. But hysterectomy is major surgery with a recovery measured in weeks, and it ends the possibility of future pregnancy. UFE preserves the uterus, involves no surgical incision, and most patients return home the same day with a significantly shorter recovery period. It is not appropriate for every patient, and candidacy depends on the number, size, and location of fibroids, as well as the patient's broader health picture.
UFE at MinVasive Medical in New Jersey
MinVasive Medical's interventional radiologists perform UFE for patients across New Jersey, including Bergen County and the greater Paramus area. If you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and want to understand your full range of treatment options — including non-surgical alternatives — a consultation with our team is the right starting point.
