June 10, 2025

Finding Treatment Options for Fibroids Starts With Knowing How Each One Works and What Recovery Really Looks Like

If you've been told you have fibroids, chances are you've already heard more medical terms than you'd like. You might have been handed a pamphlet, referred to a specialist, or sent home with a list of options that sound more like procedures than solutions. Two treatments you may have come across are Uterine Fibroid Embolization and Myomectomy. Both of these options work to reduce fibroid symptoms, but they approach the issue differently, which can mean different results, experiences, and recoveries.

Read on to learn more about how Fibroid Embolization compares with Myomectomy and which one might be a better option for you.

What Is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Uterine Fibroid Embolization, sometimes abbreviated as UFE, is a minimally invasive procedure. Rather than removing the fibroids themselves, UFE works by blocking the blood supply that helps them grow. A specialist inserts a small catheter into an artery, usually through the wrist or groin, and guides it toward the arteries feeding the fibroids. Tiny particles are then released to cut off the blood flow. Over time, the fibroids shrink and symptoms start to fade.

This approach is often recommended for people who want to avoid surgery and are not planning to become pregnant. Because the uterus is preserved, some fertility may be retained, but it’s not always the primary reason behind the choice for UFE.

Who Typically Gets Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Patients drawn to UFE often want a lower-risk procedure with faster recovery and fewer surgical complications. They may not be interested in pregnancy or may have tried medication without success. UFE is also considered when fibroids are causing ongoing bleeding, pressure, or bladder issues, but aren't embedded in places where surgery would be more appropriate.

What Is a Myomectomy?

Myomectomy is a surgical procedure that removes fibroids while keeping the uterus intact. It’s a common choice for those who still hope to become pregnant in the future or want the fibroids gone entirely. There are different ways to perform a myomectomy, depending on the number, size, and location of fibroids. Some are removed through small incisions with laparoscopic tools. Others may require a larger incision (abdominal myomectomy) or be removed through the cervix using a hysteroscope.

Unlike UFE, myomectomy physically removes the fibroids. However, this also means a longer recovery and the potential for more surgical side effects.

Who Typically Gets a Myomectomy?

Surgical fibroid removal is often preferred for people who want the fibroids physically removed and have goals related to future fertility. It may also be suggested if fibroids are located in places that don’t respond well to embolization or are causing symptoms that UFE hasn’t addressed.

Younger patients, in particular, are more likely to be directed toward myomectomy since the chance of fibroid recurrence is higher, and surgery tends to provide a longer treatment window.

Comparing the Procedure Experience

For UFE, the experience often feels closer to an extended outpatient appointment. You might receive light sedation, but general anesthesia usually isn’t necessary. Most procedures last around 90 minutes, and you’ll likely go home the same day or after an overnight stay.

Depending on the type, myomectomy may require general anesthesia and a hospital stay of one to three days. Laparoscopic versions have a shorter stay and fewer complications, but open abdominal procedures involve more recovery time. Surgical risks like bleeding, scarring, or infection are also part of the equation.

What to Expect Before the Procedure

Preparation for UFE usually involves imaging scans like an MRI or ultrasound to locate the fibroids and assess their size. You may be asked to stop certain medications and fast for a short period before the procedure.

For myomectomy, preparation includes lab work, possibly presurgical medication to shrink the fibroids, and a longer lead time to arrange for anesthesia and post-op care. Either way, your provider will walk you through what to bring, how long you’ll be at the facility, and what kind of help you may need after the procedure.

What Uterine Fibroid Embolization Recovery Looks Like

Uterine Fibroid Embolization recovery tends to be shorter and less physically demanding than surgical alternatives. Most people experience cramping, fatigue, and low energy for a few days afterward. Discomfort is usually managed with over-the-counter medications, and many patients return to work within one to two weeks.

You might also notice a change in your menstrual cycle during recovery. Periods could be lighter or irregular at first, especially in the first few months. As the fibroids shrink, pressure-related symptoms like frequent urination or pelvic pain often ease.

What Recovery After Myomectomy Involves

Recovery from a myomectomy depends on how the procedure was performed. If it was laparoscopic, you might be up and moving within a few days and back to work in two to three weeks. An open abdominal myomectomy, however, comes with a longer recovery, usually four to six weeks. You may need prescription pain relief early on and limits on lifting, driving, and physical activity.

Some patients find that while the recovery is more intense, the benefit of having the fibroids removed completely is worth the tradeoff. For those focused on fertility outcomes, myomectomy is often the recommended route.

Comparing Risks and Potential Complications

Any medical procedure carries some risk. With Uterine Fibroid Embolization, the most common side effects include mild cramping, low fever, and temporary vaginal discharge. There is a small risk of infection or damage to surrounding tissue, but these complications are rare.

Myomectomy comes with surgical risks like bleeding, infection, and scarring. There's also a chance that new fibroids can form later, especially for younger patients. In some cases, surgical scarring can affect future pregnancies, which is something providers will discuss with anyone hoping to conceive.

How the Outcomes Compare Over Time

Both treatments focus on reducing symptoms but get there in different ways. UFE causes fibroids to shrink, which often leads to relief from pressure, cramping, and bleeding. It doesn’t remove fibroids, though, and because of that, some patients may eventually need a second treatment.

Myomectomy offers more immediate results for those who want fibroids gone. It also has a lower rate of repeat treatment within the first few years. However, because fibroids can come back, particularly in people under 40, follow-up care remains important either way.

What Patients Can Do to Support Recovery

Hydration, light movement, and rest are helpful after either procedure. Taking time off from physically demanding work or strenuous exercise allows the body to heal. With a myomectomy, it is key to follow any lifting restrictions and wound care instructions. With UFE, paying attention to lingering cramps or fevers can help catch rare complications early.

When to Call Your Provider

Reach out to your doctor if you experience worsening pain, fever, heavy bleeding, or symptoms that don’t start to improve within the expected time. A brief phone call or follow-up visit can catch issues early and give you peace of mind.

What Doctors Consider Before Recommending Treatment

Several factors influence whether a provider recommends UFE or myomectomy. Fibroid size, location, number, and whether fertility preservation is a goal all shape the conversation. A single large fibroid inside the uterine wall may be easier to remove surgically, while multiple smaller fibroids spread throughout the uterus might respond better to embolization.

Your general health and history with previous surgeries or gynecological issues also matter. Some patients may not be good candidates for general anesthesia. Others may have had surgical complications in the past and prefer a non-surgical option.

Frequently Asked Questions About These Procedures

How long is the recovery after Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Recovery from UFE is usually shorter than from surgical options. Most patients are able to return to light activities within a few days and feel more like themselves after about seven to 14 days. Some people experience cramping, fatigue, or low-grade fever during the first week, but these side effects tend to resolve with rest and over-the-counter medications. Follow-up visits help track healing and symptom improvement.

Will fibroids come back after either treatment?

Fibroids can return after either procedure, though the reasons vary. UFE works by shrinking the fibroids by cutting off their blood supply, but it doesn’t remove them entirely, which means regrowth is possible over time.

Myomectomy physically removes the fibroids, which may reduce the chance of immediate recurrence, but it doesn’t prevent new fibroids from developing in the future. The likelihood of recurrence often depends on age, hormone levels, and individual fibroid growth patterns.

Can I get pregnant after UFE or myomectomy?

Fertility outcomes can vary depending on the procedure. Myomectomy is generally recommended for patients who are actively trying to conceive, as it removes fibroids while preserving the uterus. Many people go on to have successful pregnancies afterward.

By contrast, UFE has a less predictable effect on fertility. While some patients do become pregnant following UFE, the procedure can impact the uterus and surrounding tissue in ways that may affect implantation or pregnancy. It’s important to discuss your future family plans with your doctor before deciding on treatment.

Is one option safer than the other?

Both are considered safe, but the risks are different. UFE avoids surgery; myomectomy removes the fibroids completely.

Do either of these treatments affect menopause timing?

In most cases, neither procedure directly causes menopause. However, UFE has been linked to early menopause in a small percentage of patients, particularly those who are closer to menopause age at the time of treatment. This may be due to reduced blood flow affecting the ovaries.

Myomectomy doesn’t typically interfere with hormone levels or ovarian function, so it’s not associated with changes in menopause timing. Your doctor can help evaluate your risk based on your age and overall reproductive health.

Finding a Treatment Plan That Fits You with DocFinderPro

Choosing between Uterine Fibroid Embolization and Myomectomy isn’t always easy. One offers a shorter recovery and avoids surgery; the other provides complete removal and may better support future pregnancy. The best next step is to find and talk to someone who can look at your situation specifically.

Use DocFinderPro to connect with a provider who specializes in treating fibroids. Whether you’re ready for a decision or still sorting through your questions, they can help you find a path forward that fits your life.