Learn About UFE
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
You or your loved one may have been told a hysterectomy or other surgery is your only treatment option to end your fibroid symptoms. We want you to know you have other choices that don’t require surgery or the removal of your uterus.
One of the most successful non-surgical treatment options is called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). This is a minimally-invasive procedure that cuts off blood flow to the fibroids and causes them to shrink. What you’re left with is relief from painful fibroid symptoms—and your uterus intact.
About Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Is UFE for You?
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is the treatment of choice for our patients. It treats all fibroids at once, avoids the removal of the uterus, requires no hospital stay and takes only 30 to 60 minutes to complete. You may be wondering if UFE is the right treatment option for you. You’re a good candidate for the procedure if you:
- Have symptomatic fibroids that disrupt your life
- Want to keep your uterus
- Don’t want any surgery
- Cannot have surgery due to medical issues
- Need to lessen time away from work and family
- Don’t consider getting pregnant a top priority
If you think you may be a good candidate for Uterine Fibroid Embolization, our fibroid experts can help educate you about the UFE procedure and further determine if you would benefit from this treatment option
Get Your Free UFE Check List
Schedule a Consult
Schedule a telehealth or office consultation to see if UFE is the right choice for you.
Every patient is evaluated during a consultation appointment. If you are a candidate for UFE, we will order an MRI (if needed) and coordinate your care based on your schedule.
Benefits of UFE
Interventional Radiologists, such as the fibroid specialists at Fibroid Institute Texas, offer Uterine Fibroid Embolization to treat fibroids without all the risk, pain and blood loss that can occur with surgery. We perform UFE as an outpatient procedure with no more than an adhesive bandage to cover the small wrist puncture. This is in stark contrast to traditional fibroid surgery or hysterectomy that require a much larger incision that is prone to scarring and can result in more complications and longer recovery times with expensive hospital stays.
UFE requires no incision which means it carries lower risks and no need for staples or stitches. The scar from the procedure is so small that you may not even see the site for the placement of the tube after a few months.
Because we have all the necessary technology and safety equipment for UFE, we’re able to perform the procedure in our office rather than a hospital. This greatly reduces costs and allows you to go home the same day.
One of the best features of UFE is that it cuts off blood flow to every fibroid in the uterus, treating all fibroids at one time.
When using UFE to treat fibroids, 90% of women see major improvements in their symptoms. UFE takes care of heavy bleeding, pain, cramping and other life-changing fibroid symptoms.
The recovery time is just 7 to 10 days, so you can get back to your life quickly and with less pain. It is usually a much faster and easier recovery than a hysterectomy or other surgeries.
What to Expect During UFE
The procedure will last about one hour, you will be asleep for the procedure. You can resume light activities as soon as you feel up to it, most women return to work in 7-10 days.
During the procedure your doctor will make a tiny nick on your left wrist. A very small catheter is inserted through this into your artery. Our physicians use x-ray guidance to locate the vessels that supply blood to your fibroids. Small particles are injected into the vessels, blocking the blood flow to the fibroids causing them to shrink. We will see you one week after the procedure to assess your recovery. You will have additional post-procedure appointments at one month and four months to follow your progress.