15 Questions to Ask Before Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Before uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), ask about five things: who will do the procedure and how experienced they are, where it will be done, what imaging they are basing the decision on, what recovery and follow-up look like, and how UFE could affect fertility, the chance of needing more treatment, and your costs. The 15 questions below cover all of these. Bring this list to your consultation, and write down the answers.

For each question, we explain why it matters and what a helpful answer usually includes, based on published guidelines and studies.

Experience and training

1. Who will actually perform my procedure?

UFE is usually done by an interventional radiologist, according to ACOG. Some vascular surgeons also perform it. Ask who will be in the room and who will see you afterward. A helpful answer names the doctor and explains their training.

2. How many UFE procedures do you do, and for how long?

There is no official minimum number. Still, it is fair to ask, and a confident doctor will tell you plainly. Ask too how often they see complications and how they handle them.

3. Will you work with my gynecologist?

Fibroid care often involves both. Your gynecologist may handle cervical screening, a biopsy of the uterine lining if needed, and other options such as myomectomy. A helpful answer explains how the two doctors share information.

Where it happens

4. Where will the procedure be done, and will I go home the same day?

RadiologyInfo, the patient site of the American College of Radiology and the Radiological Society of North America, says UFE is done in a catheterization lab or occasionally an operating room. ACOG notes that some women go home the same day while others stay overnight. Ask which applies to you, and what would make an overnight stay necessary.

5. What happens if something goes wrong during or after the procedure?

Serious complications are uncommon, but you should know the plan. Ask which hospital you would go to and who you would call at night or on a weekend.

Imaging and diagnosis

6. What imaging is my recommendation based on?

The European interventional radiology society (CIRSE) named MRI with contrast as the preferred imaging before UFE in its 2015 guideline. UK national guidance (NICE) starts with ultrasound and adds MRI when more detail is needed. Ask whether the doctor has looked at the images themselves, not just the report.

7. Is there anything on my imaging that makes UFE less suitable?

Fibroid type and position matter. CIRSE lists a fibroid on a very thin stalk as a relative reason for caution, for example. Adenomyosis, a different condition that can look similar, changes the discussion. A helpful answer is specific to your scan.

8. What other tests do I need first?

Workups before UFE commonly include cervical screening and sometimes sampling of the uterine lining, to rule out other causes of bleeding. Some insurers look for these results too.

This article is part of our Fibroid Treatment Guide.

The procedure and recovery

9. Will you go through my wrist or my groin, and what sedation will I have?

Both access routes are used. In a 2021 randomized trial of 153 women, wrist (radial) access was as effective and safe as groin (femoral) access, with better procedure-related quality of life. ACOG says a sedative and local anesthesia are given. Ask what you will be aware of during the procedure, and how long it usually takes; RadiologyInfo says UFE is usually complete within 90 minutes.

10. How will you manage my pain afterward?

Cramping is expected. In the FIRSTT trial (2017), most women used anti-inflammatory medication and 75% used opioid pain medicine at home after UAE. Some centers add a nerve block during the procedure. In a 2018 randomized trial of 44 women, a superior hypogastric nerve block cut pain-medicine use in recovery by more than half. Ask what your plan is, including after you go home.

11. What will recovery look like, and when can I go back to work?

ACOG says pain and cramps can last up to 2 weeks. RadiologyInfo says most people return to normal activities within one to two weeks. Your job, how much energy you have and how you feel all play a part. Our UFE recovery timeline covers the days and weeks in detail.

12. Which symptoms afterward are normal, and which mean I should call?

ACOG says pelvic pain and a low fever are normal. It advises calling for pain that medication does not help, a fever above 101°F, nausea or vomiting, bleeding or pain where the catheter went in, or a change in color or temperature of either leg. Ask for these instructions in writing, and ask about follow-up visits and imaging. CIRSE notes the full effect of UFE is usually seen by 6 months.

Fertility, results and re-treatment

13. How could UFE affect pregnancy and menopause for me?

Evidence on pregnancy after UFE is limited, and ACOG says its effect on future pregnancies is not clear. CIRSE lists a future pregnancy wish as a relative reason for caution, and notes a higher risk of early menopause in women over 45. If pregnancy matters to you, ask how myomectomy compares. See our article on pregnancy after UFE.

14. How likely am I to improve, and to need another procedure?

ACOG says about 3 in 4 women who had UAE got relief from their symptoms, and about 1 in 5 later needed another surgery for their fibroids. In the Cochrane review (2014), further surgery within 2 years was more likely after UAE than after hysterectomy or myomectomy. Ask what would happen if your symptoms came back, and whether repeat embolization is an option. Our page on UFE risks and complications lists the rates.

Coverage and cost

15. What will this cost me, and who handles insurance?

Ask whether your plan needs prior authorization, whether the doctor and the facility are both in network, and whether imaging, sedation and follow-up are billed separately. If you are paying yourself, ask for a written good faith estimate, which providers must give you under federal rules when you ask or schedule at least 3 business days ahead. Our article on whether UFE is covered by insurance explains approvals and appeals in New York.

Signs you are getting good answers

Good answers tend to be specific and honest. Look for a doctor who:

• Talks about your own imaging and symptoms, not just fibroids in general
• Explains other options, including myomectomy, hysterectomy and medication, and why UFE does or does not fit
• Gives you real numbers on improvement and re-treatment, including the downsides
• Is clear about recovery, pain control and who to call after hours
• Does not promise a particular result or pressure you to decide on the spot

Be cautious if you hear that UFE has no risks, works for everyone, or that you have to decide right away. Fibroids are benign, and you usually have time to think.

Taking the next step

You do not need to ask every question in one visit. Pick the ones that matter most to you and bring someone along to take notes if that helps. For the full overview of the procedure and the evidence, see our main page on uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). To compare UFE with every other option, see our fibroid treatment guide. Dr. David Fox, a board-certified vascular surgeon in Manhattan who performs UFE, welcomes these questions at consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important question to ask before UFE?

Ask whether the doctor has reviewed your own imaging, ideally an MRI, and why UFE fits your fibroids. Everything else, from results to risks, depends on that answer.

Should I ask a UFE doctor how many procedures they have done?

Yes. There is no official minimum, but it is a fair question, and a confident doctor will answer it plainly along with how they handle complications.

Is it okay to ask about cost at the first visit?

Yes. Ask about prior authorization, network status for the doctor and the facility, and separate charges for imaging and sedation. If you pay yourself, you can ask for a written good faith estimate.

What should I ask if I might want to get pregnant?

Ask how UFE could affect pregnancy and how myomectomy compares. Evidence on pregnancy after UFE is limited, and guidelines treat a future pregnancy wish as a reason for careful discussion.

Should I bring someone to my consultation?

It often helps. A friend or partner can take notes and remember answers while you focus on the conversation.

Keep Reading

• Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) in New York City
• UFE Recovery Day by Day: What to Expect Week by Week
• UFE Risks and Complications: What the Numbers Show
• Pregnancy After UFE: Honest Numbers and What They Mean
• Is UFE Covered by Insurance in New York?
• How Much Does UFE Cost in NYC?
• Fibroid Treatment Guide: every option, compared

Sources

1. ACOG FAQ — Uterine artery embolization (last reviewed May 2026)
2. RadiologyInfo (ACR/RSNA) — Uterine fibroid embolization
3. van Overhagen & Reekers, Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol, 2015 — CIRSE standards of practice for uterine artery embolization
4. NICE guideline NG88 — Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management
5. Khayrutdinov et al., Diagn Interv Radiol, 2021 — randomized comparison of transradial and transfemoral access in UAE (153 women)
6. Barnard et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol, 2017 — FIRSTT trial, UAE vs focused ultrasound
7. Yoon et al., Radiology, 2018 — superior hypogastric nerve block for pain after UAE, randomized sham-controlled trial (44 women)
8. Gupta et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2014 — UAE for symptomatic uterine fibroids (7 trials, 793 women)
9. CMS — Good faith estimate (No Surprises Act)

Medically reviewed by David Fox, MD, FACS, RPVI. This article is general information, not a substitute for a medical evaluation.

Living with heavy periods, pelvic pressure or other fibroid symptoms? Schedule a consultation with Dr. David Fox at Fox Vein & Vascular in Manhattan to find out whether uterine fibroid embolization is right for you. Call (212) 362-3470 or request a UFE consultation online.