Uterine fibroids affect up to 80 percent of women by age 50. While many fibroids cause no symptoms, others lead to heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, and pain that disrupts daily life. For decades, hysterectomy was presented as the definitive solution. But for many women, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) offers effective relief while preserving the uterus.
What Is UFE?
Uterine fibroid embolization is a minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. Dr. Amir Salem at M&S Vascular in Great Neck performs UFE by threading a thin catheter through a small puncture in the wrist or groin to the arteries feeding the fibroids. Tiny particles are injected to block these arteries, cutting off the blood supply that fibroids need to grow.
Without blood supply, fibroids shrink over the following months. Most women notice significant improvement in bleeding, pressure, and pain within two to three months. Studies show that approximately 85 to 90 percent of women experience meaningful symptom improvement after UFE.
Who Is a Candidate?
UFE may be appropriate for women who have symptomatic uterine fibroids confirmed on imaging (ultrasound or MRI), experience heavy menstrual bleeding that affects quality of life, have pelvic pressure, bloating, or urinary frequency from fibroid bulk, want to preserve their uterus, and are looking for a less invasive alternative to surgery.
UFE is not recommended for women who are pregnant, have active pelvic infection, or whose symptoms are caused by something other than fibroids. Women who are actively trying to conceive should discuss fertility considerations with their gynecologist and interventional radiologist.
UFE vs. Hysterectomy
Recovery time: UFE recovery is typically one to two weeks. Hysterectomy recovery is four to six weeks for abdominal surgery, two to four weeks for laparoscopic.
Hospital stay: UFE is often performed as an outpatient procedure or with one overnight stay. Hysterectomy usually requires one to three days.
Uterus preservation: UFE preserves the uterus. Hysterectomy removes it permanently.
Effectiveness: Both procedures effectively treat fibroid symptoms. UFE may require additional treatment if new fibroids develop or existing ones do not shrink enough. Hysterectomy is definitive (no recurrence possible since the uterus is removed).
Surgical risks: UFE avoids general anesthesia and abdominal incisions. Hysterectomy carries standard surgical risks including bleeding, infection, and anesthesia complications.
What to Expect
The procedure takes about one to two hours. Most patients receive conscious sedation and go home the same day or the following morning. Cramping and discomfort are common during the first 24 to 48 hours and are managed with medication.
Most women return to light activities within a few days and normal activities within one to two weeks. Follow-up imaging (usually MRI) at three to six months confirms fibroid shrinkage and symptom response.
UFE on Long Island
Many women on Long Island are not told about UFE as an option. Gynecologists may recommend hysterectomy or myomectomy without mentioning embolization. If you have been diagnosed with fibroids and want to understand all your options, a consultation with an interventional radiologist who performs UFE can provide a different perspective.
The M&S Great Neck office at 935 Northern Boulevard serves women from across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Call (516) 960-1954 to schedule a fibroid embolization consultation with Dr. Salem.