Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) is a uterus-preserving alternative to surgery, with most women returning to usual activities within one to two weeks.
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths of the uterus and are extremely common. For many women they cause nothing. For others they cause heavy or prolonged periods, flooding, anaemia and fatigue, pelvic pressure, bloating, frequent urination and pain. Adenomyosis, where the uterine lining grows into the muscle wall, causes similar heavy, painful periods and is often found alongside fibroids.
Hysterectomy and myomectomy remain established treatments. UAE offers a uterus-preserving alternative for appropriately selected women.
Fibroids survive on a rich blood supply. UAE blocks that supply at its source. Through a pinhole in the wrist or groin, a fine catheter is guided into the arteries feeding the uterus, and tiny particles are injected to block the vessels feeding the fibroids. As their arterial supply is reduced, fibroids shrink over the following months while the normal uterus continues to receive blood from collateral vessels. The same approach reduces the abnormal blood flow that drives adenomyosis symptoms.
If a future pregnancy is your main priority, the choice between embolisation and myomectomy deserves a careful, individual discussion. Dr Tarr will go through the evidence for both with you.
A detailed discussion of your symptoms and goals. A recent pelvic ultrasound is usually sufficient for the initial consultation. If an MRI is needed to map the fibroids and confirm suitability for embolisation, this can be arranged after your consultation.
Performed under sedation, awake but comfortable. Both uterine arteries are treated through a small image-guided arterial puncture. No surgical incision is required.
Cramping for the first 24–48 hours is expected and well controlled with pain relief. Most women go home the next morning.
Most women return to work within 1–2 weeks. Bleeding typically improves within the first couple of cycles; bulk symptoms ease as fibroids shrink over 3–6 months. A follow-up review and imaging confirm the result.
Around nine in ten women experience significant improvement in bleeding and pressure symptoms after UAE, and satisfaction in published series is high. The uterus is preserved and there are no abdominal scars.
Expected after-effects include cramping, fatigue and a flu-like feeling for a few days (post-embolisation syndrome), and sometimes a vaginal discharge as fibroids break down. Uncommon risks include passing fibroid tissue, infection requiring treatment, and, mainly in women over 45, earlier menopause. A small proportion of women need further treatment for recurrent symptoms in later years.
Pregnancy after UAE is well documented, but if future fertility is your top priority, myomectomy may be recommended first depending on your fibroids. The choice depends on fibroid pattern, symptoms, age and fertility priorities, and can be discussed alongside your gynaecologist.
Hysterectomy removes the uterus and is definitive, but it's major surgery with a typical recovery of around six weeks. UAE treats the symptoms while keeping your uterus, through a pinhole, with a recovery measured in days. If UAE doesn't deliver the result you need, surgery remains fully available afterwards.
Yes. Embolisation is one of the few uterus-preserving treatments for adenomyosis, and most women experience meaningful improvement in pain and bleeding. Response rates are somewhat lower than for fibroids alone, so expected benefit should be discussed individually.
Many women notice lighter bleeding within the first one to two cycles. Pressure and bulk symptoms improve more gradually over three to six months as the fibroids shrink.
Selected sources supporting the information on this page. General information only, not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Reviewed by Dr Gregory Tarr; last reviewed September 2026.