Which specialist performs uterine artery embolisation?

Uterine artery embolisation is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces blood flow to selected areas of the uterus, often to treat symptomatic fibroids. The interventional radiologist uses imaging to guide a thin catheter through an artery to the uterine arteries, then releases small particles through the catheter. The radiologist monitors the procedure and manages immediate recovery. A gynaecologist remains important because fibroid symptoms, fertility plans, bleeding and other treatment choices need a broader pelvic assessment.

Discuss the reason for treatment, your symptoms, pregnancy plans, previous operations, allergies and medicines with the gynaecology and radiology teams. Ask about fasting, usual medicines, pain control, recovery arrangements and follow-up imaging. Tell the team before the procedure if pregnancy is possible. Make sure you understand which clinician to contact after discharge and how planned follow-up will assess bleeding, pain or pressure symptoms.

After embolisation, contact the treating team for worsening pain, persistent vomiting, fever, heavy bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, increasing redness at the catheter site, or difficulty passing urine. Seek urgent help for fainting, chest pain, severe breathlessness or sudden heavy bleeding. New or worsening symptoms deserve assessment rather than being attributed automatically to normal recovery.

Ask which specialist will lead each part of care, why embolisation is being considered, how it may affect pregnancy plans, what alternatives exist, and when follow-up will occur.