You may be a candidate for uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), also known as uterine artery embolization (UAE), if you fit into any of the following categories:

  • Women who are experiencing the symptoms of uterine fibroids
  • Women who do not desire future fertility
  • Women who want to retain their uterus and are looking for alternatives to hysterectomy
  • Women who do not desire surgery
  • Women who may be poor surgical candidates; e.g. obesity, bleeding disorders, anemia
  • Women who are not pregnant

UFE and Fertility

When researching and reviewing alternatives to hysterectomy procedures and the other fibroid treatment options available, it is important to understand how different treatments can affect you and your lifestyle. If you decide on uterine artery embolization, also known as uterine fibroid embolization, becoming pregnant in the future can be extremely difficult.

 

While uterine artery embolization is an effective treatment for uterine fibroids, the effects that it has on the ability to become pregnant, on the development of the fetus, and the ability to carry the fetus to term have not been determined. There are some reports of women becoming pregnant after the uterine artery embolization procedure and having successful pregnancies. However, there is no conclusive data or scientific results that establish the safety of uterine fibroid embolization on fertility and pregnancy. Therefore, before choosing this fibroid treatment, it is very important that you understand the potential inability to conceive in the future. Next step is to discuss with your physician how best to treat your uterine fibroids.