Treatments we provide
Uterine Fibroid Embolisation
Uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) is a minimally invasive, image-guided treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids. The procedure works by blocking the arteries supplying the fibroids, causing them to gradually shrink and helping to improve symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure and pain.
UFE treats fibroids without surgically removing the uterus and can usually treat multiple fibroids during the same procedure. It is performed by an interventional radiologist using X-ray guidance and may provide an alternative to surgical treatments such as myomectomy or hysterectomy for appropriately selected patients.
How is the procedure performed?
Uterine fibroid embolisation is usually performed under local anaesthetic with sedation. A small catheter is inserted into an artery, usually through the wrist or groin, and guided using X-ray imaging into the uterine arteries.
Tiny embolic particles are then injected into the arteries supplying the fibroids. This reduces their blood supply, causing the fibroids to gradually shrink over the following weeks and months while preserving the uterus. Both uterine arteries are usually treated during the same procedure.
The procedure generally takes around 60–90 minutes. Following UFE, you will be monitored while your pain and other symptoms are managed. Depending on your recovery and where the procedure is performed, you may go home later that day or stay in hospital overnight.
Benefits of Uterine Fibroid Embolisation
Uterine fibroid embolisation offers several potential benefits for appropriately selected patients with symptomatic fibroids:
- Minimally invasive: Treatment is performed through a small arterial puncture without a surgical incision.
- Preserves the uterus: UFE treats fibroids without removing the uterus.
- Treats multiple fibroids: Multiple fibroids can usually be treated during the same procedure.
- Shorter recovery: Recovery is generally shorter than following major surgery such as hysterectomy or myomectomy.
- Effective symptom relief: Most appropriately selected patients experience meaningful improvement in symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure and pain.
- Future treatment remains possible: Other treatments, including surgery, can still be considered if symptoms persist or recur.
For women considering future pregnancy, the choice between UFE, myomectomy and other treatments requires individual assessment. Fertility and pregnancy plans should be discussed before treatment.
Risks
Uterine fibroid embolisation is generally well tolerated, but as with any medical procedure there are potential risks and complications. These may include:
- Bleeding, bruising or haematoma at the catheter insertion site
- Infection
- Temporary pelvic pain, cramping, nausea or fever following embolisation
- Changes to menstrual periods, including a small risk of premature menopause, particularly in older patients
- Passage or expulsion of fibroid tissue in some patients with submucosal fibroids
- Allergic reaction to contrast material or other uncommon vascular complications
- Persistent or recurrent fibroid symptoms that may require further treatment
- Rarely, serious complications requiring surgery, including hysterectomy
Dr Ryan McConnell will discuss the expected benefits, alternatives and individual risks of UFE with you before treatment.
Recovery
Recovery following uterine fibroid embolisation varies between patients. Pelvic cramping and pain are common during the first few days after treatment and are managed with appropriate pain relief. Some patients may also experience fatigue, nausea or a low-grade fever as part of the post-embolisation response.
Vaginal bleeding or discharge can occur during recovery and may continue intermittently for several weeks. Most patients can gradually return to normal daily activities over one to two weeks, although recovery time varies depending on your symptoms, general health and the nature of your work.
You will be given specific instructions about pain relief, activity and symptoms that should prompt medical review before leaving hospital.
Follow-up
Follow-up after uterine fibroid embolisation is important to assess your recovery and improvement in symptoms. Dr Ryan McConnell will arrange appropriate clinical follow-up after your procedure.
Further imaging, such as MRI, may be recommended to assess the response of the fibroids to treatment. The timing of follow-up and imaging will depend on your symptoms, clinical progress and individual circumstances.
Considering treatment for uterine fibroids?
UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLISATION FAQS
Uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) is a minimally invasive, image-guided treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids. A small catheter is guided into the uterine arteries and tiny embolic particles are injected to reduce the blood supply to the fibroids.
Following treatment, the fibroids gradually shrink over the following weeks and months, which can improve symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure and pain. UFE treats fibroids without surgically removing the uterus and can usually treat multiple fibroids during the same procedure.
Uterine fibroid embolisation may be suitable for women with symptomatic uterine fibroids, particularly when symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, pain or urinary symptoms are affecting quality of life.
UFE may be considered by women who would prefer a minimally invasive alternative to surgery or who wish to avoid hysterectomy. Suitability depends on factors including your symptoms, the size, number and location of the fibroids, previous treatments and your future pregnancy plans.
Not every patient with fibroids is suitable for UFE. Dr Ryan McConnell will assess your symptoms and imaging and discuss whether UFE or another treatment option is most appropriate for you.
Uterine fibroid embolisation is effective in improving symptoms caused by uterine fibroids in appropriately selected patients. Most women experience a significant improvement in heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure and other fibroid-related symptoms following treatment.
Improvement is usually gradual. Symptoms often begin to improve over the first few weeks, with further improvement occurring over the following months as the fibroids shrink.
Individual results vary, and some women may have persistent or recurrent symptoms that require further treatment. Dr Ryan McConnell will discuss the expected outcomes of UFE based on your symptoms, fibroid characteristics and individual circumstances.
Uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE), myomectomy and hysterectomy treat uterine fibroids in different ways. UFE reduces the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to gradually shrink, while myomectomy surgically removes individual fibroids and hysterectomy removes the uterus.
UFE is minimally invasive, preserves the uterus and generally has a shorter recovery than major surgery. It can also treat multiple fibroids during the same procedure. However, surgery may be more appropriate for some patients depending on the size and location of the fibroids, symptoms and future pregnancy plans.
The best treatment is individual. Dr Ryan McConnell can assess whether UFE is appropriate for you, while a gynaecologist can advise on surgical options such as myomectomy or hysterectomy.
Pregnancy is possible after uterine fibroid embolisation, and many women have had successful pregnancies following treatment. However, the effects of UFE on fertility and pregnancy are not as well established as they are for some surgical treatments.
For women who are planning a future pregnancy, treatment needs to be considered carefully. Factors including age, fertility history, the size and location of the fibroids and whether myomectomy is an appropriate alternative may influence the treatment recommendation.
If future pregnancy is important to you, this should be discussed before treatment. Dr Ryan McConnell can assess whether UFE may be appropriate and, where required, treatment can be considered in conjunction with your gynaecologist or fertility specialist.
Uterine fibroid embolisation usually takes around 60–90 minutes, although the exact procedure time varies depending on the anatomy of the uterine arteries and the complexity of the procedure.
UFE is performed under local anaesthetic with sedation. After the procedure, you will be monitored while your pain and other symptoms are managed. Depending on your recovery and where the procedure is performed, you may go home later that day or stay in hospital overnight.
Most patients can gradually return to normal daily activities within one to two weeks following uterine fibroid embolisation, although recovery varies between patients.
Pelvic cramping and pain are common during the first few days after treatment. Some patients may also experience fatigue, nausea or a low-grade fever as part of the normal post-embolisation response. Vaginal bleeding or discharge may occur intermittently for several weeks.
You will be given specific instructions about pain relief, activity and symptoms that should prompt medical review following your procedure.
Uterine fibroid embolisation treats existing fibroids by reducing their blood supply, causing them to gradually shrink. Fibroids that have been successfully treated generally remain reduced in size, although they do not usually disappear completely.
Some women may develop new fibroids over time, or experience persistent or recurrent symptoms following treatment. A small proportion of patients may therefore require additional treatment in the future.
The likelihood of needing further treatment depends on factors including your age, fibroid characteristics and response to UFE. Dr Ryan McConnell will discuss the expected outcomes and appropriate follow-up with you.