Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE):
A Minimally Invasive Alternative to Surgery
If someone has told you surgery is your only option — or you have been living with heavy periods, pelvic pain, and exhaustion for years — you do not have to keep living that way. Surgery is not the only answer.
No Surgery Required
Uterus Preserved
1–2 Week Recovery
Insurance Accepted
80%
Women Develop Fibroids by Age 50
30+ Yrs
UFE Proven Track Record
1–2 Weeks
Recovery Time
60–90 Min
Procedure Length
Overview
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are benign, noncancerous growths that develop in or around the wall of the uterus. They are extraordinarily common. Research shows that up to 80 percent of women will develop fibroids by the time they reach age 50, though not all women experience symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they can be significant. Fibroids can range from the size of a small seed to the size of a grapefruit, and their location within the uterus often determines how disruptive they become.
I want to be clear about something: the symptoms fibroids cause are real, they are not exaggerated, and they are not something you simply have to learn to live with. Women deserve effective treatment, and effective treatment exists.
Did You Know?
WHY PATIENTS CHOOSE COASTAL VASCULAR
A Physician-Owned Practice, Not a Corporate Chain
Dr. Ayar Handles Your Care
Dr. Ayar personally does every consultation and procedure. You will not be handed off to a PA or NP, as at many clinics.
Two Locations, One Physician
Many clinics have many locations and few doctors. At our Pearland and Lake Jackson offices, you always see Dr. Ayar.
Physician-Owned
Coastal Vascular Center is physician-owned, not corporately owned. Your care is guided by your doctor.
Most Insurance Accepted
We accept most insurance plans. Call our office to confirm your coverage before your visit.
Warning Signs
Symptoms That May Indicate Uterine Fibroids
In my practice, I see women who have been managing fibroid symptoms for years without realizing there was a cause — and a solution — right in front of them. If any of the following sound familiar, fibroids may be the reason.
Heavy or prolonged bleeding
Soaking through pads or tampons quickly, passing large clots, or periods that last longer than a week.
Pelvic pain or pressure
A persistent feeling of fullness, heaviness, or aching in the lower abdomen that does not go away.
Frequent urination
Fibroids pressing against the bladder can cause urgency and noticeably more trips to the bathroom.
Bloating or enlarged abdomen
Some women notice their clothes fit differently or that their abdomen feels persistently distended.
Back or leg pain
Larger fibroids can press on nerves and cause radiating pain into the lower back or legs.
Fatigue and anemia
Chronic heavy bleeding depletes iron levels, leaving many women exhausted in ways that affect every part of daily life.
Diagnosis
What Is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)?
Uterine fibroid embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks fibroids by cutting off their blood supply. Fibroids, like all tissue, rely on blood flow to survive and grow. During UFE, I guide a thin, flexible tube called a catheter through a small puncture in the skin, typically at the wrist or the groin.
Using real-time X-ray imaging called fluoroscopy, I navigate that catheter through the bloodstream to the uterine arteries — the vessels that supply blood to the uterus and the fibroids feeding off it.
Once in position, I inject tiny particles, about the size of grains of sand, directly into those arteries. Those particles block blood flow to the fibroids. Without blood, the fibroids shrink, and your symptoms diminish along with them.
What makes UFE meaningful to me as a physician is what it does not require. There is no large surgical incision, no general anesthesia, and your uterus remains intact throughout. The access point — a small puncture at the wrist or groin — heals quickly. Most women are back to their normal routines within one to two weeks.
Our Approach
UFE vs. Surgery: Why Many Women Choose UFE
The two most common surgical treatments for fibroids are hysterectomy, which removes the uterus entirely, and myomectomy, which surgically removes individual fibroids while leaving the uterus in place. Both are legitimate options for the right patient — but for many women, UFE offers a compelling alternative.
| Comparison | UFE | Hysterectomy | Myomectomy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uterus preserved | Yes | No | Yes |
| General anesthesia | Not required | Required | Required |
| Hospital stay | Typically overnight or same-day | 2 to 3 days | 1 to 3 days |
| Recovery time | 1 to 2 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Surgical incision | No (small puncture only) | Yes | Yes |
| Treats all fibroids at once | Yes | N/A | Not always |
I want to be straightforward with you: UFE is not the right answer for everyone. Women who are actively trying to conceive should have a thorough conversation with me about their options, because the data on fertility outcomes after UFE is still evolving. If you are planning a pregnancy in the near future, I will discuss all available options with you so you can make the most informed decision possible. For women who are not trying to conceive, UFE is often the best combination of effectiveness, safety, and recovery.
What to Expect
Before, During, and After UFE
Here is what you can expect at each stage of your care — so there are no surprises along the way.
Before the Procedure
Consultation in my office to review your medical history and symptoms.
Imaging — typically an MRI or ultrasound — to assess the number, size, and location of your fibroids.
Clear preparation instructions, including stopping food and drink after midnight the night before.
During the Procedure
UFE typically takes between 60 and 90 minutes, with sedation to keep you comfortable throughout.
A small puncture at the wrist or groin, with the catheter guided to the uterine arteries under live X-ray imaging.
Embolic particles injected to block blood flow to the fibroids — no stitches required.
After the Procedure
Most women stay overnight for observation and pain management, though same-day discharge is possible.
Pelvic cramping in the first hours is common and expected as the fibroids lose their blood supply.
Light activity within a few days and full normal activity within one to two weeks.
Most women begin noticing symptom improvement — particularly lighter periods and reduced pain — within the first one to three menstrual cycles after UFE.
Is It Right For You?
Is UFE Right for You?
UFE is an excellent option for women who:
Have been diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids
Want to avoid major surgery or are not good surgical candidates
Want to preserve their uterus
Need a shorter recovery time
Have not found adequate relief through medication alone
The best way to know if UFE is right for you is to come in and talk. Every woman's fibroid situation is different, and treatment planning should reflect that. I do not believe in one-size-fits-all medicine. What I do believe in is giving you the information you need to make a confident decision about your own body.
If you are in the Houston area, Pearland, Lake Jackson, or the surrounding communities, I would be glad to see you for a consultation.
Patient Stories
What Patients Say About Dr. Ayar
Real Google reviews from patients at our Pearland and Lake Jackson offices.
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions About UFE
Is UFE safe?
Will UFE affect my ability to get pregnant?
How long does it take for fibroids to shrink after UFE?
Is UFE covered by insurance?
How is UFE different from a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy removes the uterus surgically, which means it is the end of menstrual periods and the permanent end of the ability to carry a pregnancy. It requires general anesthesia and a recovery of four to six weeks. UFE does not remove any organs. The uterus stays in place, the fibroids shrink over time, and recovery typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. For women who want to keep their uterus or return to normal life quickly, UFE is often the better fit.
Read our article on the difference between UFE and a hysterectomy
What is recovery like after UFE?
Most of my patients describe the first 24 to 48 hours as the most uncomfortable, with pelvic cramping and fatigue. That is your body responding to the procedure, and we manage it with medication during your overnight stay. By day three or four, most women are moving around comfortably at home. By the end of the first week, many are ready to return to a desk job or light activity. Full recovery to all activities typically happens within one to two weeks, which is significantly shorter than what follows surgical fibroid treatment.
Learn More
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Ready to Find Out If UFE Is Right for You?
You have spent long enough wondering if this is just something you have to live with. It is not. Uterine fibroid embolization has given thousands of women their lives back, and I would like the opportunity to discuss whether it can do the same for you.
My team at Coastal Vascular Center sees patients at our Pearland and Lake Jackson offices. We will review your imaging, listen to your full history, and give you a clear, honest picture of your options — including whether UFE is the right fit or whether a different approach would serve you better.
You deserve answers. Let us get you there.
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