Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) for Heavy Periods: Am I a Candidate?

Struggling with heavy periods? Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Here’s an inside look into how this minimally invasive procedure works, who it’s best for, and what to expect during recovery.

Heavy, painful periods that disrupt daily life often stem from uterine fibroids. While several treatment options are available, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is one of the most popular — and for good reason.

UFE is a minimally invasive, effective alternative to surgery for women seeking relief from fibroid-related symptoms. But is it the right choice for you?

Drs. John Yoo and Benjamin Wilson, of Vascular & Interventional Specialists in Fort Worth, Texas, explore that and more in this month’s blog.

A closer look at uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. While some women experience none or very mild symptoms, others struggle with issues like:

Heavy periods
Long periods
Pelvic pain or pressure
Frequent urination
Constipation
Back or leg pain

Fibroids vary in size and location, which can affect the type and severity of symptoms.

How UFE can help

UFE is a minimally invasive procedure that targets fibroids by cutting off their blood supply. Here’s how it works.

We insert a small catheter into an artery in your groin or wrist. Using X-ray guidance, we direct the catheter to the arteries supplying the fibroids.

Next, we injected tiny particles into those arteries, blocking blood flow to the fibroid. Without blood flow, the fibroids shrink over time, and symptoms gradually improve.

The procedure typically takes about an hour; most patients can go home that day.

The ideal candidate for UFE

UFE is an excellent option for many women, but not all women. You’re likely a candidate if you:

Struggle with heavy or long periods that haven't gotten better with other treatment
Experience pelvic pain or pressure
Want to avoid major surgery
Aren’t currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon

We might not recommend UFE if you have a history of pelvic infection or certain vascular conditions or have huge fibroids or fibroids that aren’t in an ideal location for UFE.

We thoroughly review your medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals to ensure UFE is right for you.

Why our patients love UFE

UFE offers several advantages over traditional surgery — here are some key benefits.

UFE is minimally invasive, so we don’t have to make large incisions, and there's less pain and a quicker recovery. We perform UFE as an outpatient procedure, so you can likely go home the same day.

UFE also preserves the uterus, unlike a hysterectomy. It also provides the most significant symptom improvement.

Recovering from UFE

Recovery from UFE is typically much faster than surgery. Most patients rest for a few days and return to light activities within a week and their regular routine shortly afterward.

You may experience cramping, fatigue, or mild discomfort for a few days after the procedure, and complete symptom relief may take a few months as your body gradually reabsorbs the treated fibroids.

We schedule a follow-up visit to monitor progress and confirm the fibroids are shrinking.

If heavy periods impact your quality of life, it’s time to explore your options. A vascular and interventional radiology specialist can assess your symptoms, review your imaging results, and help you decide if UFE is the right choice.

Don’t let heavy periods hold you back — relief may be closer than you think. Call our friendly staff at 817-321-0951 or use our online booking tool to schedule an appointment today.