How does the UFE procedure work?

The rock-like fibroids need a blood supply to stay alive and grow. During the UFE procedure, this blood supply is purposely blocked. This causes the fibroids to die off. They will first start to soften and liquefy, and eventually they will shrink. While some fibroids will disappear completely, it is not necessary for them to do so. Often the fibroids will still be present on imaging (exs. MRI or ultrasound), but since they are now soft (like bags of water rather than rocks) they can no longer cause the significant symptoms anymore. For example, a woman had increased urinary frequency with waking up multiple times to urinate because of a fibroid compressing the bladder. After UFE, even if the fibroid does not shrink very much, it is now a bag of water and the bladder can push it out of the way and fill normally. The patient now sleeps through the night without waking up and she urinates much less often. The average reduction in volume of the fibroid after UFE is 40% by 3 months and 65% by 6 months. Therefore, we usually get both significant symptom improvement ("90%) and significant size improvement, but sometimes we only get significant symptom improvement. That's what is most important. Remember that women who have no symptoms, do not need any treatment. They might have fibroids, but if they don't have any symptoms, they don't need treatment of any kind.

How do you perform UFE?

How do I know if I am a candidate for UFE?

What are the benefits of UFE over other fibroid therapies?

I had a pelvic ultrasound in my gynecologist's office. Is this satisfactory imaging, or do I still need a MRI?

Does the size and number of fibroids matter?

I have had a myomectomy, can I still be considered for UFE?

I have had an Endometrial Ablation, can I still be considered for UFE?

How long will I spend in the hospital?

What is the recovery period at home and how long will I be out of work?

What are the risks of UFE?