Uterine artery embolization: Purpose and procedure Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What is uterine artery embolization Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD — By Rachel Ann Tee-Melegrito on June 28, 2022Uterine artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure. It blocks blood flow to noncancerous tumors called fibroids in the uterus, causing them to shrink and die. Uterine fibroids are growths that form in the muscles of the uterus, or womb. They are the most common type of tumor in people of reproductive age who have a uterus. These growths are almost always noncancerous (benign). They range from the size of a pea to the size of a melon. They do not always cause symptoms. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) may be an option for people whose fibroids cause symptoms and who want to keep their uterus. Doctors may also use UAE to treat other conditions, such as postoperative and postpartum bleeding. This article explores UAE, who might need it, and how the procedure works. Definition Share on PinterestLilkin/Getty ImagesUAE is a minimally invasive procedure that helps manage serious pelvic bleeding. It involves delivering small particles to uterine blood vessels. This helps to block blood supply or stop heavy bleeding. Doctors typically use the procedure to treat fibroids. A similar procedure is uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). UFE is a specific form of UAE. It blocks the blood supply that nourishes fibroids, gradually causing them to shrink and die over weeks or months. Who might need one UAE may help people whose fibroids cause symptoms. Fibroid symptoms may include:anemiaheavy menstrual periodspain in the abdomen or lower backpressure or feeling of fullness in the lower abdomenproblems with urination and bowel movementsenlarged uterus and abdomenissues with pregnancy and fertilitypain during sex The ideal candidates for UAE are people who:are of premenopausal agehave heavy regular periods or pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea) due to fibroidshave no desire for future pregnancy Doctors may also prescribe UAE to stop heavy pelvic bleeding due to:traumacancerous gynecological tumorsbleeding after childbirth (postpartum hemorrhage)adenomyosis Doctors may recommend UAE as a preventive measure (prophylaxis) to reduce bleeding during certain operations. They may recommend it for people who do not want to undergo other treatments or have already attempted other therapies to address their symptoms. What to expect Here is a breakdown of what a person can expect before, during, and after the procedure. Before the procedure Before UAE, the doctor will ask about the person’s general health status and their gynecological, menstrual, and medical history. They will also ask if the person is currently pregnant or wishes to become pregnant in the future. If a doctor suspects fibroids, they will likely use imaging techniques such as MRI and ultrasound to determine the cause of the symptoms and to assess the size, location, and the number of fibroids the person has. A gynecologist may also look at the person’s uterus using a laparoscopy, especially when a person has heavy bleeding between periods. The doctor may take sample tissues from the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) to rule out cancer. They may also order blood tests, including a complete blood count and platelet count. They will also ask about the medications the person is taking and whether they have any known allergies to anesthetics, injected dyes, or contrast materials. How to prepare The doctor may ask the person to stop taking certain medications such as aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a specific period before the procedure. A person may wish to ask their doctor which medications they can still take on the day of the procedure. Medical staff will likely also tell the person not to eat or drink anything in the hours before the procedure. Doctors will also ask people who smoke to stop smoking for a certain number of weeks before the procedure. Procedure A specialist called an interventional radiologist will perform the procedure in a radiology room suite. The procedure takes about 2 hours. The person will be awake during the procedure and will not feel any pain. The steps for a UAE procedure are as follows:A person will have an angiogram. This produces a series of X-ray images of arteries supplying the fibroid or fibroids in the uterus.The person’s groin area will be shaved and sterilized.A nurse will insert an IV line to deliver fluids into the hand or arms. This is also where the anesthesiologist will provide the sedative to make the person feel sleepy and relaxed.The doctor will inject a local anesthetic into the skin site to numb the area.With X-ray guidance, the doctor will make a small incision at the groin crease and insert a thin, flexible tube, called a catheter, into the large artery located in the groin.A medical professional will inject small particles, made of either polyvinyl alcohol or gelatin, through the catheter into the blood vessels supplying the fibroids.Finally, the doctor will remove the catheter, manage the bleeding, and apply a dressing to the puncture site. The person will not need stitches. Recovery A person will likely go home the same day or the day after the procedure. They will need to stay on bed rest for several hours, lying flat on the bed with their legs straight. A healthcare team will monitor the person and provide medications to manage pain and discomfort. A person may also feel moderate to severe abdominal and pelvic cramps for up to 2 weeks. Most people recover quickly and can return to typical daily activities within a week. Some people may experience less menstrual bleeding during their first period after the procedure. They may also notice some fibroid tissue pass through the vagina. It can take up to 3 months to experience noticeable relief from fibroid symptoms. Risks UAE is generally safe. However, as with any other procedure, it comes with risks. These include general surgical risks, such as: bleedingreaction to medicines or anestheticsinfectionbruising Experts consider the procedure safe and effective. Risks specific to UAE include: injury to the artery or uterusinfection of the puncture site or uterusblood clotsinfertilityearly menopausedelayed diagnosis of a rare type of cancerlack of blood flow to the buttock or legpremature ovarian failurepulmonary embolismpregnancy complications Outlook UAE is typically effective in decreasing pain, bleeding, and pressure caused by fibroids. Up to 90% of people who have the procedure experience a reduction in symptoms. Abnormal uterine bleeding resolves in more than 90% of cases. About 10% of people will need to have the procedure again after 5 years. Sometimes, the treatment may not shrink the fibroids or treat the person’s symptoms. In rare cases, people may need immediate surgery due to complications during the procedure. For example, arterial perforation occurs in 1 in 100 cases and may require emergency intervention. The younger a person is, the greater the risk that symptoms will return, eventually requiring surgery. A 2021 study also found that UAE has an 80% success rate at 52 months in treating adenomyosis. It is also less invasive than a hysterectomy. Summary Doctors use UAE to treat various conditions that cause excessive pelvic bleeding, including uterine fibroids. It is a minimally invasive procedure that may be an alternative to more invasive procedures such as surgery. UAE is generally safe and effective, with a low risk of complications. However, the procedure is not for everyone. People considering becoming pregnant in the future may choose to decline this procedure since it may lower their chance of becoming pregnant. Last medically reviewed on June 28, 2022Blood / HematologySexual Health / STDsUrology / NephrologyWomen's Health / Gynecology 5 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Kim, M.-D. (2019). Uterine artery embolization for leiomyomas and adenomyosis: A pictorial essay based on our experience from 1300 cases.https://www.kjronline.org/DOIx.php?id=10.3348/kjr.2019.0205Ma, J., et al. (2021). Long-term durability of uterine artery embolisation for treatment of symptomatic adenomyosis.https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ajo.13304Manyonda, I., et al. (2020). Uterine-artery embolization or myomectomy for uterine fibroids. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1914735Uterine artery embolization (UAE). (2020). https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/uterine-artery-embolizationYoung, M., et al. (2022). Uterine fibroid embolization.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519016/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD — By Rachel Ann Tee-Melegrito on June 28, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageFibroid surgery: Everything you need to knowMedically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, MD The many different types of fibroid surgery include a myomectomy, radiofrequency ablation, and a hysterectomy. Learn about these and other surgery…READ MORENatural treatments and diet for fibroidsMedically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, MD Natural treatments may help relieve the symptoms of uterine fibroids, though there is little research that they are effective. 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