Heavy Bleeding from Fibroids? Here Is What You Need to Know About Uterine Artery Embolization

Are you passing heavy blood clots or changing pads every hour during your period? Do you feel a heavy dragging pressure in your lower belly that refuses to go away? These frustrating signs often point to uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths inside the womb. If you want relief without undergoing a major surgical operation, you are in the right place to learn about your options.

One successful option that doctors use is a modern procedure called Uterine Artery Embolization, or UAE for short. This method blocks the blood supply to the fibroids so they shrink naturally over time. Let us walk through how this treatment works, what you can expect during recovery, and whether it is the right choice for you.

What Is Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE)?

Uterine Artery Embolization is a minimally invasive medical procedure. It uses a tiny skin puncture instead of a large open incision. The main goal of this procedure is to block the specific blood vessels that supply blood to your uterus.

Doctors most often use this treatment to control heavy bleeding caused by non-cancerous womb growths known as uterine fibroids. Sometimes, doctors also use UAE for other urgent bleeding issues. These can include severe bleeding after childbirth, bleeding from pelvic injuries, or bleeding linked to certain growths.

You might also hear people talk about Uterine Fibroid Embolization, or UFE. While people often use these terms interchangeably, UFE specifically refers to treating fibroids. UAE is a broader term that also covers other causes of pelvic bleeding.

When Do Doctors Recommend UAE Treatment?

Most people choose this treatment when uterine fibroids cause daily discomfort and disruptive symptoms. Here are the common signs and symptoms that lead doctors to recommend UAE:

Along with these symptoms, your doctor may suggest UAE for postpartum bleeding, trauma-related bleeding, or other specialized vascular conditions.

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When Should You Avoid UAE Treatment?

There are certain situations where Uterine Artery Embolization is not safe or suitable for you. Your doctor will review your health carefully to ensure you do not fall into these categories:

• You have uterine fibroids, but you feel no symptoms at all.
• You are currently pregnant.
• You have an active infection in your pelvic region.
• You suffer from a severe blood vessel disorder.
• You have a known allergy to the special contrast dyes used during imaging scans.

How Does This Treatment Work?

Imagine a plant in your garden that receives water through a garden hose. If you slowly close the valve on that hose, what happens? The plant lacks water and slowly shrinks away. UAE works on a very similar principle.

During the procedure, tiny particles about the size of sand grains are injected into the uterine arteries that feed your womb. The doctor guides these tiny particles into place using a very thin, flexible tube called a catheter. To see the pathway, they use a real-time X-ray imaging method called fluoroscopy.

Once the targeted blood vessels are blocked:

• Your heavy menstrual bleeding slows down and normalizes.
• The fibroids lose their blood supply, causing them to shrink and shrivel over time.

What Should You Do Before Treatment?

Your doctor will recommend UAE only after reviewing your complete medical history and checking your symptoms. You will need to complete several steps before the procedure day.

• Your doctor will ask about your overall health, allergies, current medicines, and menstrual cycle. They will also discuss whether you plan to have children in the future, as this treatment can affect fertility.
• You will undergo diagnostic tests like an MRI scan, an ultrasound scan, or a hysterescopy to confirm the exact cause of your bleeding.
• In some cases, doctors take a small tissue sample from the lining of your womb, known as a biopsy, to check for abnormal cells.
• Your care team will ask you to stop taking blood thinners or pain medicines like aspirin or NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or diclofenac) a few days before your appointment.
• You will receive clear instructions on when to stop eating and drinking hours before the procedure.

What Happens During the Procedure?

UAE is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can return home on the same day. The entire process takes about 90 minutes.

Here is the step-by-step breakdown of what happens in the treatment room:

1. An Interventional Radiologist performs the procedure. This is a specialist doctor who uses medical imaging technology to carry out minimally invasive treatments.

2. You lie flat on an examination table while nurses connect monitors to track your heart rate and blood pressure.

3. The medical team applies a numbing anesthetic cream or injection to the skin around your upper thigh or groin area.

4. An IV line provides fluids and a mild sedative medicine to help you relax and feel sleepy.

5. The doctor makes a tiny puncture in your groin skin and inserts a fine needle.

6. Using fluoroscopy and a special contrast dye, the doctor guides the catheter into your uterine arteries. The dye helps the blood vessels show up clearly on the X-ray screen.

7. Once the catheter is in the correct spot, the doctor releases tiny embolic agents made of medical-grade gelatin or plastic through the tube. These particles block the targeted blood vessels.

8. When finished, the doctor removes the catheter, stops any minor bleeding at the puncture site, and applies a small bandage.

What Can You Expect After Treatment?

Most patients can leave the hospital a few hours after the procedure finishes. Here is what your recovery period looks like:

• Medical staff will ask you to rest flat on your back for a few hours right away afterward.
• Your doctor will prescribe pain relief medicines and antibiotics to take at home to prevent infection.
• You might notice a watery or mucus-like vaginal discharge for a few weeks as your body heals.
• During the first 24 hours, you will likely experience moderate to severe pelvic cramps. This is a normal part of the healing process.
• Many people return to their normal daily routines within one to two weeks.
• Your menstrual cycle might pause for a few months. When periods return, bleeding is often lighter at first before improving to a healthy pattern.
• If you treated fibroids, symptoms typically start to ease within two to three weeks. Some people pass tiny pieces of treated fibroid tissue through the vagina. Most patients feel complete relief by the six-month mark.

What Are the Benefits of UAE?

Nearly 90 percent of people who undergo UAE for fibroids experience complete or significant relief from their troublesome symptoms.

What Are the Risks of UAE?

Like any medical treatment, UAE carries some potential risks and side effects.

Is UAE Safe and Suitable If You Want Children?

Yes, Uterine Artery Embolization is generally considered a safe medical procedure. Your doctor will review your medical history to discuss any specific personal risks.

However, if you want to have children in the future, this is a major decision point. Although many people have had healthy pregnancies after UAE, medical data remains limited. Doctors still study how this procedure impacts overall fertility.

Because of these uncertainties, many doctors recommend a surgical removal of fibroids called a myomectomy for patients who wish to conceive later. UAE can slightly increase the risks of miscarriage, cesarean delivery, and postpartum bleeding during future pregnancies.

If you are pregnant or plan to start a family, talk openly with your doctor about these risks before choosing UAE.

When Should You Call a Doctor Right Away?

Mild cramping, fatigue, slight nausea, and a low-grade fever are normal during the first 24 hours and days following your procedure. Most people feel back to their regular routines within 10 days.

However, you should seek medical help right away if you experience any warning signs: