Benefits and risks

Information for the public

When NICE looked at the evidence, it decided that the procedure is effective in the short and medium term for most patients, and is safe. The 8 studies and 1 report that NICE looked at involved a total of 234 patients.

Generally, they showed the following benefits:

between a quarter and 3 quarters of patients had improved symptoms of abnormally heavy or painful periods
in 1 study, around a third of the patients who had symptoms caused by the size of the uterus (such as pressure in the abdomen or frequent urination) had improvements in these symptoms
improved quality of life (such as improvements in the ability to perform day to day activities and socialise outside the home, improved energy levels, less pain or cramping during menstruation, and less pain during sexual intercourse).

There were no studies specifically looking at the effects on fertility, but one study showed 5 out of 54 patients became pregnant after the procedure.

About half of the patients in one study had other treatments after the procedure, either because it didn't work, or because their symptoms came back between 9 and 27 months after the procedure.

The studies showed that the risks of uterine artery embolisation included:

severe cramping 4 days after the procedure
worsening of symptoms
periods stopping straight away after the procedure
temporary increased vaginal discharge.

NICE was also told about some other possible risks: post-embolisation syndrome (which can include pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting, fever and tiredness), and the embolisation particles passing into the circulation and affecting organs other than the uterus (such as the ovaries).

NICE said that the risks of uterine artery embolisation for adenomyosis were likely to be the same as for treating fibroids, for which there is much more evidence.

If you want to know more about the studies see the guidance. Ask your health professional to explain anything you don't understand.