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Uterine Fibroid Embolization: A Closer Look at How UFE Works

Published July 11th, 2026 by Great Lakes Medical Imaging

If you have been told you have uterine fibroids, you may be wondering what your options are, especially if heavy periods, cramping, or pelvic pressure have started to shape your daily routine. Many women in Western New York live with these symptoms for years before they learn there is a minimally invasive treatment that does not involve major surgery.

At Great Lakes Medical Imaging (GLMI), our interventional radiology team helps patients across Buffalo and the surrounding communities of Williamsville, Cheektowaga, Orchard Park, and Cambria in Niagara County understand a procedure called uterine fibroid embolization, or UFE. This article takes a closer look at what UFE is, how it works step by step, and how it compares with traditional surgery, all in plain and reassuring language.

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Fibroids are benign, which means non-cancerous, growths of the uterus. They are not dangerous, but that does not make them harmless to your quality of life. For many women, fibroids cause symptoms that can be genuinely life-limiting, interfering with work, sleep, exercise, and time with family.

Common symptoms of fibroids can include:

An increased amount or duration of bleeding during your periods
Severe cramps and a bloated feeling during your periods
An urge to urinate frequently
Pain down the back of one or both legs
Uterine pressure or pain
Abdominal enlargement

If any of these sound familiar, you are not imagining things, and you are not overreacting. These are recognized fibroid symptoms, and they are reasons to talk with a provider. To learn more about the condition itself, you can read our overview of uterine fibroids.

Where an Interventional Radiologist Fits In

You may not have heard of interventional radiology before, so here is the short version. Interventional radiologists are board-certified physicians who deliver minimally invasive treatments with less risk, less pain, and less recovery time than traditional surgery. Most of their procedures are delivered through a catheter that enters the body through a tiny nick in the skin, using imaging guidance to see exactly where to go. Many of these procedures are outpatient or short overnight stays.

An interventional radiologist can help determine whether uterine fibroid embolization could help in your situation. If you are curious about the field and the kinds of conditions it addresses, our interventional radiology overview is a good place to start, and our dedicated page on interventional radiology for fibroids goes deeper on this specific treatment.

How UFE Works, Step by Step

One of the most reassuring things about UFE is how straightforward the procedure is once you understand the steps. It is performed with X-ray guidance and sedation, so you stay comfortable throughout. Here is what happens, in order:

You receive medication to relax. Patients receive medication through their veins to help them relax before and during the procedure.
A small incision is made. The interventional radiologist makes a small incision in the groin or wrist. This is a tiny entry point, not a large surgical opening.
A thin catheter is guided to the fibroid. The physician guides a very thin catheter through the blood vessels to the specific artery supplying blood to the fibroid, using imaging to follow the path precisely.
Blood flow is embolized. Small particles are injected through the catheter to stop, or embolize, the blood flow to the fibroid. Without its blood supply, the fibroid is no longer fed.
The catheter is removed. When finished, the catheter is removed and gentle pressure is applied to the small incision.
A short period of observation follows. Many times patients are observed overnight and discharged in the morning.

Because UFE relies on imaging guidance rather than a large surgical incision, the whole experience is designed around comfort and recovery. If you would like to talk through whether this is right for you, the GLMI team is glad to help. You can contact GLMI or call 716-836-4646, Option 4, to start the conversation.

The Imaging Behind the Procedure

UFE is only as good as the imaging that supports it, before and during the procedure. Detailed imaging helps your care team understand the size and location of your fibroids and plan the safest approach. At GLMI, that often includes ultrasound and high field magnetic resonance imaging, such as our Wide Bore High Field 1.5T MRI. These tools give your provider a clear picture so that treatment decisions are made with confidence and with you.

Benefits of UFE Compared With Surgery

For many women, the most appealing part of UFE is how it compares with traditional surgical options. Compared with surgery, the benefits of uterine fibroid embolization include:

Shorter recovery time, so you can return to your normal life sooner
Minimal complication risk
Preservation of the uterus, since the procedure treats the fibroid without removing the organ
Potential for future pregnancy
Unlikely to cause menopause

These are meaningful differences for women who want relief from fibroid symptoms while keeping their options open. As always, the right choice depends on your individual health, and that is a decision to make together with your provider.

Hearing From Others and Meeting the Team

Choosing a procedure is easier when you know who will be caring for you and what others have experienced. You can get to know our physicians on the interventional radiology team page, and read real patient stories on our interventional radiology testimonials page.

Convenient Care Across Western New York

GLMI makes it easy to be seen close to home, with locations throughout the region:

You do not have to keep planning your life around fibroid symptoms. If heavy bleeding, cramping, or pelvic pressure has been holding you back, a conversation with an interventional radiologist can help you understand whether UFE is a good fit. To schedule a consultation, schedule with GLMI or call 716-836-4646, Option 4. Our team across Buffalo and Western New York is ready to help you take the next step.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or appropriate diagnostic testing. Individual health circumstances vary, and decisions about imaging or treatment should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider.

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