What to Know About Symptoms, Imaging, and Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
Heavy periods, ongoing fatigue, and pelvic pressure can affect far more than your monthly cycle.
You may find yourself planning around your period, pushing through exhaustion, or assuming these changes are something you have to live with. In some cases, these symptoms may be related to uterine fibroids, though several conditions can cause similar symptoms.
Because symptoms alone cannot confirm uterine fibroids, imaging plays an essential role in finding the cause. Once your healthcare provider has a clearer picture, you can begin exploring the treatment options that best fit your health, symptoms, and goals.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
According to the Society for Women’s Health Research, uterine fibroids affect an estimated 26 million women in the United States, though many never realize they have them. Fibroids are benign (noncancerous) muscular growths that develop in the uterus and are estimated to occur in up to 70% of women before menopause, though many never experience symptoms. While fibroids are most commonly diagnosed in women in their 40s, they can develop in women in their 20s through 50s and are approximately three times more common in African American women.
Uterine fibroids are one of the most common noncancerous conditions affecting women. Many never cause symptoms, but when they do, they can affect everything from your energy level to your daily routine. Understanding what’s causing your symptoms is the first step toward finding the right treatment.
What Symptoms Can Uterine Fibroids Cause?
Fibroids can cause a wide range of symptoms—or no symptoms at all. For some women, the first sign is a period that becomes noticeably heavier or lasts longer than usual. Others experience pelvic pressure, discomfort, or symptoms caused by larger fibroids pressing on nearby organs.
Uterine fibroid symptoms may include:
- Heavy, irregular, or prolonged menstrual periods
- Fatigue, weakness, or anemia related to blood loss
- Pelvic pain, pressure, or abdominal fullness
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Constipation
- Pain during intercourse
- Abdominal fullness or bloating
Over time, symptoms like these can affect your energy, sleep, work, exercise, travel, and everyday plans. They are worth discussing with your provider, especially when they begin to change how you feel or what you are able to do. Since several conditions can cause similar symptoms, however, the way you feel cannot confirm fibroids on its own.
Why Imaging Is An Important Next Step
If you’re experiencing symptoms, a conversation with your OB/GYN or primary care provider can help determine whether additional evaluation and imaging are appropriate. A pelvic ultrasound or MRI can determine whether fibroids are present while providing important information about their size, number, location, and characteristics.
Once a radiologist reviews your imaging and confirms the presence of uterine fibroids, your healthcare provider can refer you for a consultation to determine whether Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) may be an appropriate treatment option.
What Are the Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids?
Having uterine fibroids does not automatically mean you need treatment. If they are not causing symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend monitoring them over time. When symptoms such as heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, or anemia begin affecting your quality of life, medication may help manage them and is often an appropriate first step.
If symptoms cannot be adequately managed with medication, other treatment options may be considered, including surgery or a minimally invasive procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). Performed by fellowship-trained interventional radiologists, UFE is a nonsurgical procedure that treats fibroids while preserving the uterus.
At Jefferson Radiology, our interventional radiologists perform more than 25,000 image-guided procedures each year. During your consultation, they’ll review your symptoms, imaging, overall health, and future pregnancy plans to help determine whether UFE or another treatment option may be appropriate for you.
How Does Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) Work?
Uterine Fibroid Embolization, or UFE, is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment performed by an interventional radiologist. During the procedure, the physician uses imaging guidance to direct a small catheter through an artery in the wrist or groin. Tiny particles are used to reduce blood flow to the fibroids, allowing them to gradually shrink over time. As the fibroids shrink, symptoms such as heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, and pain often improve.
At Jefferson Radiology, UFE is performed in our Farmington outpatient clinic with moderate IV sedation. The procedure typically takes about one hour, and most patients return to normal activities within one to two weeks. Relief often continues to build over time as the fibroids become smaller.
For patients who want relief without traditional surgery, potential benefits may include:
- No surgical incision
- Preservation of the uterus
- Outpatient treatment
- A shorter recovery than many surgical alternatives
- Improvement in heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, or pressure for many patients
For many women, UFE offers the possibility of meaningful symptom relief without traditional surgery or a lengthy recovery. During your consultation, an interventional radiologist will review your symptoms, medical history, and imaging. Together, you’ll discuss your overall health goals and whether UFE may be an appropriate treatment option for you.
Who May Be a Good Candidate for UFE?
UFE may be an option for women whose symptoms are affecting their quality of life and whose imaging confirms a diagnosis of uterine fibroids. Women may consider UFE if they wish to preserve their uterus, avoid traditional surgery, or return to their normal routine sooner. Uterine Fibroid Embolization may also be an option when medication has not provided enough relief, if you have multiple fibroids present, or when symptoms have returned after previous fibroid surgery. Your plans to conceive are also an important part of the fibroid treatment conversation.
A shared decision-making process between patients and their gynecologist is important to determine the best individualized course of management.
Reviewed for Clinical Accuracy
This article has been reviewed by a Jefferson Radiology physician to help ensure the medical information is accurate, current, and aligned with today’s imaging practices.
Dennis Martin, MD
Fellowship-Trained Interventional Radiologist
Last reviewed: July 21, 2026
