How effective is uterine artery embolisation for uterine fibroids?

The procedure reduces blood flow to fibroids so they can shrink over time. Benefits may include lighter periods, less pelvic pressure, fewer urinary or bowel symptoms caused by the uterus, and improved comfort with daily activity. The effect depends on the number, size, position, and blood supply of the fibroids, as well as the symptoms being treated. Fibroids may not disappear, and new or remaining fibroid symptoms can require another plan.

Review your scan and symptom pattern with a gynaecologist and an interventional radiology team. Tell them about medicines, anaemia symptoms, previous procedures, and whether pregnancy is a future goal. Ask how pain will be managed and when you can resume usual activities. Afterward, record bleeding, pressure, pain, bladder or bowel changes, and energy levels. Keep follow-up appointments so recovery and symptom response can be checked.

Call your clinical team if pain is becoming stronger, fever develops, bleeding is unexpectedly heavy, or the puncture site is increasingly swollen, red, or tender. Get urgent medical help for severe uncontrolled pain, fainting, breathing problems, or heavy bleeding with marked weakness.

Which fibroid is most likely causing my symptoms? What improvement should I look for first? How will imaging or review confirm progress? Could this affect fertility or a future pregnancy? What alternatives are appropriate if symptoms remain? Which recovery symptoms are expected, and which are not?