What Is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

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Women who suffer from uterine fibroids that have not been responsive to medication or hormone treatment may want to consider uterine fibroid embolization. Experts recommend the procedure when a woman's uterine fibroids are interfering with her daily routine, including symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pain in the pelvic region and pressure upon the bladder and bowel.

Fibroids Explained

Fibroids are usually benign masses of tissue and muscle formed in or on the uterine wall. The removal of these masses usually resolves the troublesome symptoms. Prior to the development of the uterine fibroid embolization procedure, women who did not gain relief from medical interventions had only a surgical option, typically removal of the uterus (hysterectomy), available to them. Uterine fibroid embolization is a much less invasive procedure that is still extremely effective in removing the fibroids.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Rather than removing the masses or the uterus directly, uterine fibroid embolization works by eliminating the blood flow to the fibroids causing them to shrink and cease causing symptoms. The procedure normally requires an overnight stay at a hospital. During the procedure, the physician, typically an interventional radiologist, uses a fluoroscope or a small X-ray camera to guide the deposit of inert particles into the uterine arteries. This is done by threading a small catheter through the femoral artery into the uterine artery and sending the particles to that site to close off the uterine artery and prevent blood flow to the fibroid or fibroids. Depending on the location of the fibroids, one or both sides of the uterus will be treated. The material used to obstruct the blood flow may be tiny bits of plastic or a gelatinous material proven to safely block the artery. The patient is awake but completely sedated during the embolization and local anesthesia minimizes the pain of the incisions and insertion of the catheter.

Once the blockage of the uterine artery is completed, the fibroids will die and shrink. It is not uncommon for the tissue of the fibroids to be passed out of the uterus at some time after the procedure. Without the blood-rich masses exerting pressure within the uterus and on the bowel and bladder, a woman will experience relief from heavy bleeding almost immediately and from the pain and pressure within weeks to a few months. The fibroids are usually reduced in size by at least half six months after embolization.

Since the method requires only a small incision into the femoral artery, recovery time is fairly speedy. To assure the bleeding ceases, the patient must lie down for four to six hours after the procedure. Post-uterine fibroid emoblization, most women can expect some cramping, which can be particularly severe during the first twenty-four hours. Adequate pain control during that period often includes narcotic administration during an overnight stay. Once the woman is discharged she will be given pain-control medication and advice to use over-the-counter pills such as ibuprofen to help manage the discomfort. By the time seven to ten days have passed after the uterine fibroid embolization, most women will be able to resume normal activities.


Since not all of the blood flow to the uterus is interrupted by uterine fibroid embolization, the uterus will not suffer the same fate as the fibroids, although it may decrease in size up to 40 percent. Some uterine fibroid embolizations actually are followed by successful pregnancies, and the procedure is used to eliminate some kinds of infertility problems. Nearly 80 percent of patients report prompt symptom relief, but some research suggests that up to 10 percent of women may form additional fibroids even after a uterine fibroid embolization. Other procedures, such as a hysterectomy, may be necessary to eliminate fibroid growth for those women.

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The VIRA of Central Georgia team is comprised of Board Certified Radiologists, experts in the field of interventional radiology. Fellowship-trained in Georgia and Florida, VIRA physicians provide innovative solutions to a wide variety of medical conditions.

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