The UFE Procedure: What to Expect Before, During, and After Treatment

The UFE Procedure: What to Expect Before, During, and After Treatment

If you’ve been researching alternatives to surgery for uterine fibroids, you’ve probably come across the UFE procedure. And if you’re like most women, you’ve got questions. What does it involve? Will it hurt? How long is the recovery?

The good news is that uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)—also called uterine artery embolization (UAE)—is one of the safest and most effective ways to treat fibroids and their related symptoms without needing major surgery. It’s performed by a skilled interventional radiologist using a targeted approach that protects your uterus, avoids a hospital stay, and lets you resume normal activities much faster than traditional surgical removal options.

Let’s look at exactly what to expect before, during, and after the UFE procedure so you can confidently make an informed decision.

Preparation for the procedure

Before your uterine fibroid embolization, your healthcare provider will walk you through a few important steps to make sure you’re ready for a safe and smooth experience. Preparation typically includes imaging, like an ultrasound or MRI, to get a clear view of your fibroids, including their:

• Size
• Location
• Number

This helps your radiologist map out the best approach for reaching the uterine arteries that supply blood to your uterine fibroid tumors. They’ll also review your medical history, including any allergies, current medications, or previous reactions to contrast dye or sedative medication.

In the days leading up to the UFE procedure, your healthcare provider may ask you to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners. They may also instruct you to avoid eating or drinking after midnight the night before.

On the morning of the procedure, you’ll receive instructions about taking any pre-procedure medications, and you’ll want to arrange for someone to drive you home afterward. Making these preparations helps reduce the risks of uterine complications and sets you up for a successful outcome.

Anesthesia and Sedation

One of the biggest advantages of uterine fibroid embolization is that it doesn’t require general anesthesia. Instead, you’ll receive a combination of local anesthesia and sedative medication to keep you relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. The local anesthesia numbs the wrist or groin area so you won’t feel any sharp pain when the thin needle is used to access the radial artery or femoral artery.

The sedative medication is given through an IV to help you feel calm, sleepy, and at ease while still being responsive. Most patients describe the experience as painless or mildly uncomfortable, but not distressing.

Your care team will closely monitor your vital signs throughout the entire procedure to ensure your safety and comfort. Thanks to this approach, recovery tends to be smoother, with fewer side effects than you’d experience after major surgery.

The Step-by-Step Process of UFE

The UFE procedure isn’t a long, complicated surgery. It’s a targeted, image-guided process designed to treat uterine fibroids with precision. The entire procedure usually only takes 45 to 90 minutes and is typically performed in an outpatient setting. Here’s what to expect, step-by-step:

1. Arrival and prep: You’ll check in and be prepped by your care team. This includes changing into a gown, placing an IV line, and reviewing your vital signs.
2. Anesthesia and sedation: A nurse will administer local anesthesia to numb the wrist or groin area and begin your sedative medication to keep you comfortable.
3. Catheter insertion: Using a thin needle, the radiologist will insert a small tube—also called a flexible tube or catheter—into the femoral artery or radial artery and guide it toward the uterine arteries using X-ray imaging.
4. Targeting the fibroids: Once the catheter reaches the uterine arteries, tiny particles are released to block blood flow to the fibroid tumors, cutting off their blood supply so the fibroids shrink over time.
5. Repeat on the other side: The same steps are repeated on the other side to ensure both uterine arteries are treated.
6. Catheter removal and bandage: Once the blood vessels are successfully blocked, the catheter is removed and the insertion site is covered with no stitches, just a bandage.
7. Observation and discharge: After a few hours of monitoring in recovery, most patients get cleared to go home the same day with instructions and pain medications for post-procedure care.

Recovery and Aftercare

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable the recovery process is after uterine fibroid embolization. Since it’s a minimally invasive procedure, there’s no long hospital stay, no large incision to heal, and no disruption to the uterus itself. That said, you may experience some discomfort in the days following treatment. 

The Recovery Period

As the fibroids shrink and your body responds to the changes in blood flow in the days after the procedure, patients may experience:

• Pelvic pain
• Cramping
• A low-grade fever
• Fatigue
• Possible temporary changes in their menstrual cycles, like lighter or irregular menstrual periods

These symptoms are all normal and are often part of what’s called post-embolization syndrome, a short-term reaction as your body begins to heal.

UFE Procedure Aftercare

After you go home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed aftercare instructions to support your recovery. You may be prescribed pain medications to manage cramping or discomfort and advised to rest for a few days. Most women can resume normal activities within a week, though recovery can vary depending on the size and number of fibroids treated. 

You’ll also be told to avoid strenuous exercise, baths, or sexual activity until cleared by your provider. It’s important to stay hydrated, monitor your temperature, and call your doctor if you experience severe pain, persistent vaginal bleeding, or feel like you might need to visit the emergency room. Regular follow-ups will help track how well the fibroid embolization is working and keep you on the right path toward lasting symptom relief.

At VIP Fibroid Center, we know that choosing the right path to treat your uterine fibroids is a deeply personal decision, and we’re here to walk that path with you. Our board-certified interventional radiologists bring over 20 years of experience performing uterine fibroid embolization with a focus on safety, comfort, and long-term results.

We perform the UFE procedure using advanced imaging and a tiny wrist or groin incision—no major surgery, no hospital stay, and no unnecessary disruption to your life. Our modern, spa-like environment is designed to put you at ease from the moment you arrive.

Ready to treat fibroids without surgery? Contact VIP Fibroid Center to schedule your consultation and find out if uterine fibroid embolization is right for you. Let’s get you back to feeling like yourself again.