If you’ve been told uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) might be right for you, the biggest question is usually the simplest one: what actually happens on procedure day? Below, we walk through what UFE really involves — before, during, and after — so you can go into your consultation with clear questions instead of guesswork.
What Is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
UFE is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that shrinks fibroids by cutting off their blood supply — no incisions, no removal of the uterus.
Instead of surgically removing fibroids, an interventional radiologist threads a thin catheter through a small entry point in your wrist or groin and guides it, using live imaging, to the arteries feeding the fibroids. Tiny particles are released to block that blood flow. Without a blood supply, the fibroids gradually shrink and soften over the following months, easing the heavy bleeding, pressure, and pain they were causing.
“UFE lets us treat the fibroid, not just manage around it, without asking a patient to give up her uterus or go through open surgery,” says Dr. James A. Gohar, MD, CEO and Founder of Viva Eve. “For the right patient, it’s one of the most effective tools we have.”
Before the Procedure: How You Prepare
Preparation is straightforward — mostly imaging, labs, and a conversation about what to expect.
Your workup starts with a Viva Eve OB/GYN or Fibroid Navigator at one of our offices, who evaluates your symptoms and imaging to confirm UFE is the right fit. Once UFE is approved, you’ll meet with the interventional radiologist who will perform your procedure — all part of the same Viva Eve team — to review your imaging together and walk through what to expect on procedure day. You’ll typically have an MRI or ultrasound so your care team can map the size, number, and location of your fibroids, along with standard pre-procedure labs. Most patients are asked to stop eating a few hours beforehand and to arrange a ride home, since you’ll likely receive sedation.
During the Procedure: Step-by-Step What Happens
The procedure itself typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes, and you’re awake but sedated and comfortable the entire time.
Here’s the general sequence:
- Access point: Your interventional radiologist numbs a small area, usually at the wrist or groin, and inserts a catheter into the artery.
- Guided navigation: Using real-time X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy), the catheter is carefully guided to the uterine arteries supplying the fibroids.
- Embolization: Tiny particles, about the size of grains of sand, are released through the catheter to block blood flow specifically to the fibroids.
- Confirmation imaging: Your provider confirms blood flow to the fibroids has been reduced on both sides before removing the catheter.
- Closure: The small entry point is closed, usually without stitches, and you’re moved to recovery for monitoring.
Because the uterus has other blood vessels supplying it beyond the ones feeding the fibroids, healthy uterine tissue is not affected.
What You’ll Feel During and Immediately After
Most patients feel pressure rather than sharp pain during the procedure, with cramping setting in over the following hours.
You won’t feel the catheter moving, but you may notice pelvic cramping as the embolization takes effect — this is a normal sign that blood flow to the fibroids is being reduced. Pain management typically starts in the recovery room and continues with prescribed medication for the first day or two at home. Most patients describe the discomfort as similar to strong menstrual cramps.
Recovery: The First 24 Hours and Beyond
All patients go home the same day, and return to normal activities within a week to ten days.*
The first 24 to 48 hours involve the most noticeable cramping and fatigue, managed with medication and rest. Many patients are back to desk work within a week, though your care team will give you a personalized timeline based on fibroid size and number. Unlike a myomectomy or hysterectomy, there’s no surgical incision to heal, which is a major factor in the shorter recovery window.
*[footnote text — add any qualifier here]
Results: When You’ll Notice Fibroid Symptoms Improve
Symptom relief builds gradually over the first three to six months, as fibroids continue to shrink after the procedure.
Heavy bleeding is often the first symptom to improve, sometimes within one to two menstrual cycles. Pressure and bulk-related symptoms tend to ease over a longer timeline as the fibroids shrink further. In the FIBROID Registry, a national study that followed more than 3,000 patients who underwent uterine fibroid embolization, researchers found that 95% of patients reported improved health-related quality of life at one year post-procedure, with results holding up through three years of follow-up.
If you’d like to understand how UFE compares with other paths — including medication and hormonal treatment or surgical options — our fibroid treatment overview breaks down the full range of options available at Viva Eve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is uterine fibroid embolization painful? Most patients don’t feel pain during the procedure itself, only pressure — cramping typically begins afterward and is managed with medication, similar to a heavy period.
How long does recovery from UFE take? Most patients return to normal daily activities within a week to ten days, with the most noticeable discomfort limited to the first 24 to 48 hours.
Will UFE affect my fertility? UFE is generally reserved for patients who are done building their families or who have discussed fertility goals with their care team, since its effect on future pregnancy is still an active area of research — this should always be a direct conversation with your provider.
How is UFE different from a myomectomy? UFE shrinks fibroids by cutting off their blood supply through a small catheter, while a myomectomy is a surgical procedure that physically removes fibroids — UFE involves no incision and typically a shorter recovery.
Will my fibroids come back after UFE? Existing fibroids treated during the procedure typically do not regrow, though it’s possible for new, previously untreated fibroids to develop over time.
Am I a candidate for UFE? Candidacy depends on the size, number, and location of your fibroids as well as your symptoms and fertility goals — your Viva Eve OB/GYN or Fibroid Navigator evaluates this first, and once UFE is approved, you’ll meet with the interventional radiologist who will perform your procedure to confirm the plan.
Ready to Talk Through Your Options?
Every fibroid case is different, and the right treatment depends on your specific symptoms, imaging, and goals. Schedule a consultation with our fibroid care team, or connect with our Fibroid Navigator to walk through what treatment could look like for you.
