Uterine Fibroid Embolization in California
UFE is a uterus-preserving, image-guided treatment for selected people with fibroid-related bleeding, pressure, pain, or bulk symptoms. It can improve quality of life, but recovery, fertility questions, and the possibility of later treatment deserve an honest conversation.
In short: Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a non-surgical, uterus-preserving treatment for heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure and pain caused by fibroids. An interventional radiologist blocks the fibroids’ blood supply through a small catheter; most patients go home within a day and return to desk work within one to two weeks. At SoCal Interventional, Dr. Nathanael Sabbah offers UFE consultations in Van Nuys and Tarzana for Los Angeles patients and in Fountain Valley for Orange County. Confirm the separate procedure facility with the care team.
Dr. Nathanael Sabbah sees patients for UFE consultations at SoCal Interventional in Van Nuys and Tarzana, serving Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. The consultation office and procedure facility may differ; confirm the exact location for each appointment.
15211 Vanowen St, Suite 305
Van Nuys, CA 91405
18370 Burbank Blvd, Suite 514
Tarzana, CA 91356
Call (310) 929-0026 or request a UFE consultation. Tell the scheduling team your preferred office and ask which existing records it needs and how to send them securely. An appointment request is not a confirmed procedure booking.
Dr. Nathanael Sabbah offers UFE consultations at SoCal Interventional. His Cedars-Sinai physician profile lists board certification in Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology through the American Board of Radiology, and Nuclear Medicine through the American Board of Nuclear Medicine.
Review Dr. Sabbah’s training and practice information and use the SoCal office details above to arrange your consultation.
For Orange County, see our UFE consultation information for Fountain Valley.
UFE is considered for the three symptom groups fibroids cause: heavy or prolonged periods with clots and anemia; pressure or bulk symptoms such as pelvic fullness, urinary frequency and constipation; and pelvic pain or cramping that disrupts sleep, work or intercourse. A gynecologic evaluation first confirms that fibroids, not another condition, explain the symptoms.
Fibroids are noncancerous uterine growths. Their size and location—not simply their presence—help determine whether they plausibly explain symptoms and which treatment options deserve consideration.
An interventional radiologist guides a small catheter through an artery—commonly from the wrist or groin—to the uterine arteries. Embolic particles reduce blood flow to fibroids. Treated fibroids may shrink over time, and related symptoms may improve.
During UFE, the interventional radiologist numbs the skin, places a thin catheter into an artery at the wrist or groin and guides it to each uterine artery under X-ray, then injects tiny particles that block blood flow to the fibroids. The embolization itself takes about one to two hours under sedation rather than general anesthesia.
Uterine fibroid embolization is an outpatient, image-guided procedure. Here is what the process looks like from the first consultation to follow-up imaging, so you know what to expect at each stage.
UFE may be considered when symptoms are meaningfully affecting health or daily life, imaging supports fibroids as the cause, and the person wants to compare uterus-preserving procedural options.
UFE treats all fibroids supplied by the uterine arteries in one outpatient procedure and keeps the uterus, with a recovery of one to two weeks. Myomectomy removes fibroids surgically and is usually discussed first when future pregnancy is the priority; hysterectomy is definitive but ends fertility; medication can control bleeding but rarely resolves bulk symptoms.
There is no universally “best” fibroid treatment. The right choice depends on symptoms, anatomy, age, medical history, pregnancy goals, recovery priorities, and how strongly you want to avoid future procedures.
| Option | Potential role | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Medication | May reduce bleeding or pain; some therapies temporarily reduce fibroid size. | Bulk symptoms may persist; effects and side effects vary, and symptoms may return after stopping. |
| UFE | Treats fibroid blood supply without removing the uterus; many fibroids may be addressed together. | Post-embolization symptoms, ovarian effects, fertility uncertainty, and later treatment are possible. |
| Myomectomy | Surgically removes fibroids while preserving the uterus; often central to fertility-focused discussions. | Operative recovery and risks vary; new or recurrent fibroids can occur. |
| Hysterectomy | Definitive treatment for uterine fibroids and eliminates fibroid recurrence. | Removes the uterus, ends uterine fertility, and involves surgical recovery. |
| Focused ultrasound / other options | May be suitable in selected settings based on fibroid anatomy and local expertise. | Availability, candidacy, durability, and insurance coverage vary. |
Expect cramping, fatigue, low-grade fever and reduced appetite for the first several days (post-embolization syndrome), managed with a planned pain regimen; most patients go home the same day or after one night and return to desk work within one to two weeks. Serious complications such as infection or lasting ovarian changes are uncommon but possible.
UFE has substantial evidence for symptom and quality-of-life improvement, but head-to-head research shows meaningful trade-offs with myomectomy and confirms that some patients later need another procedure.
People researching “uterine fibroid embolization reviews” or UFE success rates usually want two numbers: how many patients get lasting relief, and how many need another procedure later. The registry and randomized trials below are the most-cited sources for both. Evidence section updated October 11, 2026.
| Study | Design and follow-up | What it found |
|---|---|---|
| FIBROID Registry (Goodwin et al., Obstetrics & Gynecology 2008) | 2,112 women treated with UFE at 27 U.S. centers; 3-year follow-up | Mean symptom score fell from 58.6 to 16.5 and quality-of-life score rose from 47.0 to 89.6 (0–100 scales). 85% reported substantial improvement in symptoms and quality of life, and about 90% had avoided a hysterectomy at three years. |
| REST trial (Moss et al., BJOG 2011) | UK randomized trial of UAE versus surgery (hysterectomy or myomectomy); 5-year follow-up with 91% of participants retained | Quality-of-life gains were equal in both groups at five years and about 90% of patients in each group were satisfied. 32% of the embolization group needed a further procedure within five years, compared with a lower rate after surgery. |
| EMMY trial (de Bruijn et al., American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2016) | Dutch randomized trial of UAE versus hysterectomy; 177 women randomized; 10-year follow-up | 28 of 81 women treated with UAE (35%) had a hysterectomy within 10 years, so about two-thirds avoided it. Health-related quality of life was comparable and stable in both groups; 78% (UAE) and 87% (hysterectomy) were very satisfied. |
| FEMME trial (Manyonda et al., New England Journal of Medicine 2020; Daniels et al. 2022) | UK randomized trial of UAE versus myomectomy; 254 women randomized; 2- and 4-year follow-up | At two years, fibroid-related quality of life was higher after myomectomy (84.6 vs 80.0 out of 100). By four years the difference was no longer statistically significant (90.2 vs 86.6). Repeat procedures by four years: 24% after UAE vs 13% after myomectomy. Median hospital stay was 2 days after UAE vs 4 after myomectomy. |
Individual outcomes vary. Educational information only.
Use the Van Nuys and Tarzana office details above to plan a Los Angeles visit. Our Fountain Valley office serves Orange County. Confirm the appointment location, purpose and record-transfer instructions with the office before traveling.
Explore the UFE Los Angeles patient guide or UFE in Fountain Valley for local consultation information.
Ask your insurer and the office to check the proposed procedure for your individual plan, physician and facility. Request an explanation of referral or authorization requirements, what the estimate includes, and any deductible, copay or coinsurance. Insurance acceptance alone does not establish procedure coverage.
Read our UFE cost and insurance guide. Medicare’s outpatient coverage guidance recommends asking what a proposed service will cost and what Medicare will actually cover; it is not a procedure-specific coverage determination.
Office and visit-planning information editorially updated October 26, 2026.
Medical content reviewed by Nathanael Sabbah, MD, interventional radiologist. Last reviewed: October 2026.