A minimally invasive, same-day treatment for uterine fibroids — also called uterine artery embolization (UAE). No surgery, no hysterectomy, uterus preserved. Performed through the wrist by the interventional radiologist who pioneered the transradial UFE technique at Mount Sinai.
Overview
Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths of the uterus and the most common tumor in women of reproductive age — by age 50, up to 70 to 80 percent of women develop them, with a disproportionately high burden in Black women. When fibroids become symptomatic, they cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure and pain, frequent urination, and, for some women, problems with fertility.
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) — also called uterine artery embolization (UAE) — is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure that treats fibroids by cutting off their blood supply. Without blood flow, fibroids shrink and die, while the uterus itself remains intact and is preserved.
Both uterine arteries are accessed through a single small puncture, and tiny embolic particles are released into the vessels feeding the fibroids. The fibroids are starved of oxygen and nutrients, soften, and shrink over the following weeks and months. Approximately 85 to 90 percent of women experience significant improvement or complete resolution of their symptoms. There is no surgical incision, no removal of the uterus, and no general anesthesia.
Dr. Fischman performs UFE through the wrist (transradial access) — a technique he was the first to publish for this procedure. Patients can sit up and walk immediately afterward, are discharged the same day, and avoid the prolonged bed rest required after traditional groin access.
UFE is FDA-approved and recognized by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) as a treatment option for symptomatic fibroids. For women in New York City seeking a uterus-preserving, non-surgical alternative to hysterectomy or myomectomy, UFE offers a durable, well-tolerated option delivered by an academic specialist at Mount Sinai.
Roughly nine in ten women experience significant relief or complete resolution of fibroid symptoms after UFE.
Unlike hysterectomy, UFE treats fibroids while leaving the uterus intact — no reproductive organs are removed.
UFE is an outpatient procedure — no overnight hospital stay. Patients recover briefly on-site and go home the same day.
Dr. Fischman pioneered transradial (wrist) access for UFE — no groin puncture, immediate ambulation, faster recovery.
Fibroids affect up to 40 percent of women by their late reproductive years — many silently, but for many others with disruptive symptoms.
Expertise
Dr. Fischman authored the first published description of uterine fibroid embolization performed through the wrist — "Uterine Artery Embolization Using a Transradial Approach," Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, 2014. The wrist-access technique now used at centers worldwide for fibroid treatment was first reported by his team at Mount Sinai.
UFE in New York is often delivered by rotating or affiliated physicians at storefront fibroid centers. Dr. Fischman is a Professor of Interventional Radiology and Program Director of Mount Sinai's nationally recognized IR residency — and he personally performs your procedure.
Dr. Fischman has authored over 130 peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters in interventional radiology, including foundational work on embolization technique. He is an internationally recognized authority who trains other physicians in these procedures.
Far too many women are still offered hysterectomy as a first option for fibroids. Dr. Fischman's practice is built around minimally invasive, organ-preserving treatment — controlling symptoms while keeping the uterus intact whenever appropriate.
Recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for eight consecutive years — a peer-nominated distinction — with dual board certification in Diagnostic Radiology and Vascular & Interventional Radiology.
Patients come from across the United States and internationally for Dr. Fischman's expertise. Telemedicine consultations make it straightforward to plan care before traveling to New York City for a same-day procedure.
Conditions Treated
The primary indication for UFE. Fibroids causing heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain, bloating, frequent urination, or anemia from blood loss. UFE treats all fibroids in the uterus simultaneously, regardless of how many are present.
A condition in which uterine lining tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, causing heavy bleeding and severe cramping. The same uterine artery embolization technique can treat adenomyosis, though response rates are somewhat lower than for fibroids — Dr. Fischman will set realistic expectations based on your imaging.
When heavy, prolonged periods are driven by fibroids or adenomyosis, UFE directly addresses the underlying cause by reducing blood flow to the abnormal tissue — often resolving bleeding and the anemia that can accompany it.
The Procedure
Dr. Fischman reviews your symptoms, pelvic imaging (typically MRI), and prior treatments to confirm you are a UFE candidate and map your fibroids. MRI is important — it characterizes fibroid number, size, location, and blood supply, and helps distinguish fibroids from adenomyosis. Telemedicine consultations are available for out-of-state patients.
Under mild sedation and local anesthesia, a catheter is introduced through a small puncture at the wrist. Using real-time fluoroscopic imaging and contrast, Dr. Fischman navigates to the uterine arteries and maps the blood supply to the fibroids before treatment.
Tiny embolic particles are delivered into both uterine arteries, blocking blood flow to the fibroids. Both sides are typically treated to achieve a durable result. The fibroids are starved of their blood supply while the healthy uterus retains its circulation.
You recover briefly on-site and go home the same day with a small bandage at the wrist. Because access is through the wrist, you can sit up and walk immediately. Cramping in the first day or two is expected and managed with medication; most women return to full activity within one to two weeks.
Recovery Timeline
UFE vs. Surgery
Women with symptomatic fibroids generally have three definitive options: UFE (uterine fibroid embolization), myomectomy (surgical removal of individual fibroids), and hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus). UFE is the only one that requires no surgical incision, no general anesthesia, and no hospital stay — while preserving the uterus and treating all fibroids at once.
| UFE Dr. Fischman · Mount Sinai |
Myomectomy | Hysterectomy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgical Incision | ✓ None — wrist access only | Required | Required |
| Anesthesia | ✓ Mild sedation | General | General |
| Uterus Preserved | ✓ Yes | Yes | No — uterus removed |
| Treats All Fibroids at Once | ✓ Yes | Limited by number/location | Yes (removes everything) |
| Hospital Stay | ✓ Same-day discharge | 1–2 days | 1–3 days |
| Return to Activity | ✓ 1–2 weeks | 4–6 weeks | 6–8 weeks |
| Future Fertility Possible | ✓ Yes — uterus preserved | Yes — often preferred for near-term pregnancy | No — fertility ends |
| Symptom Improvement | ✓ ~85–90% | High | Definitive (fibroids cannot recur) |
| Insurance Coverage | ✓ Medicare + most plans | Covered | Covered |
Individual outcomes vary. This comparison is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Dr. Fischman will discuss your specific fibroid anatomy, symptoms, and fertility goals during your consultation.
Fertility & Pregnancy
Because UFE preserves the uterus, pregnancy after the procedure is well documented — and by shrinking fibroids that distort the uterine cavity or interfere with implantation, UFE can improve fertility for some women. Some published series report subsequent pregnancy rates after UFE that are comparable to those after myomectomy, the surgical fibroid-removal procedure long considered the fertility-sparing standard.
At the same time, the fertility data is not fully settled, and some studies favor myomectomy for women with a strong near-term desire to conceive — particularly with cavity-distorting fibroids. The honest answer is that the right choice is individual. Dr. Fischman believes women deserve a candid, evidence-based discussion of both options rather than a one-size-fits-all recommendation, and he will review your imaging, symptoms, and reproductive goals to help you decide.
The bottom line: If preserving your uterus matters to you — whether for future fertility or simply because you do not want it removed — UFE keeps that door open in a way hysterectomy never can.
Patient Selection
UFE is appropriate for many women with symptomatic fibroids or adenomyosis who want to avoid major surgery and preserve the uterus. Dr. Fischman evaluates each patient individually at Mount Sinai, reviewing MRI imaging and clinical history before recommending any procedure.
Planning a pregnancy? UFE preserves the uterus and pregnancy after UFE is well documented, but for women with a strong near-term fertility goal the choice between UFE and myomectomy is individualized. Dr. Fischman will give you a candid, evidence-based comparison during your consultation.
Dr. Fischman's team will review your symptoms, prior imaging, and treatment history to determine whether UFE is right for you. Telemedicine consultations are available for patients outside New York and international patients.
Office: Mount Sinai Health System
5 East 98th Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10029
Phone: (212) 241-4046
Request a ConsultationInsurance
UFE for symptomatic fibroids is FDA-approved, recognized by ACOG, and covered by Medicare and most major insurance plans. Dr. Fischman's team will handle insurance verification and prior authorization before your procedure so there are no surprises.
Watch the Procedure
Watch Dr. Fischman and the Mount Sinai interventional radiology team perform uterine fibroid embolization through the wrist (transradial access) — from catheter navigation to embolization of the uterine arteries. Few board-certified interventional radiologists publish their actual technique; this is the real procedure.
View All Videos →Frequently Asked Questions
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) and uterine artery embolization (UAE) refer to the same minimally invasive procedure. UAE is the broader clinical term for embolizing the uterine arteries; UFE is the term used when the procedure is performed specifically to treat uterine fibroids. Both describe blocking the blood supply to fibroids through a catheter so they shrink, performed by an interventional radiologist.
Yes. UFE is a uterus-preserving procedure. Unlike a hysterectomy, which removes the uterus entirely, UFE treats fibroids by shrinking them while leaving the uterus intact. This is one of the main reasons women choose UFE — it controls fibroid symptoms without surgical removal of any reproductive organs.
Pregnancy after UFE is well documented. UFE preserves the uterus and, by treating fibroids, can improve fertility in some women whose fibroids were interfering with conception. Some studies report subsequent pregnancy rates after UFE that are comparable to fibroid surgery (myomectomy). That said, the data on fertility is not fully settled, and for women with a strong desire for future pregnancy, the choice between UFE and myomectomy should be individualized. Dr. Fischman will discuss your specific goals and anatomy during your consultation.
Dr. Fischman authored the first published description of UFE performed through the wrist (transradial access) in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology in 2014. Traditional UFE is performed through the groin (femoral artery), which requires lying flat for hours afterward. Wrist access lets patients sit up and walk immediately after the procedure, eliminates groin-site complications, and improves comfort — a meaningful advantage for a same-day outpatient procedure.
Hysterectomy removes the uterus and ends fertility permanently; it is the only option that guarantees fibroids cannot recur. Myomectomy surgically removes individual fibroids while preserving the uterus and is often favored for women with a strong near-term fertility desire. UFE is the least invasive of the three — no surgical incision, mild sedation, same-day discharge, the uterus preserved, and roughly 85 to 90 percent of patients experience significant symptom relief. UFE treats all fibroids at once regardless of number. The best choice depends on your symptoms, fibroid anatomy, and fertility goals, which Dr. Fischman will review with you.
While UFE is most commonly performed for symptomatic uterine fibroids, the same uterine artery embolization technique can also treat adenomyosis — a condition where uterine lining tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, causing heavy bleeding and severe cramping. Response rates for adenomyosis are somewhat lower than for fibroids, and Dr. Fischman will set realistic expectations based on imaging and your specific diagnosis.
Most patients go home the same day. The first one to three days may involve cramping and flu-like symptoms (post-embolization syndrome), which are expected and managed with medication. Most women return to light activity within a few days and full activity within one to two weeks. Fibroids shrink gradually over the following weeks to months, with maximum symptom improvement typically by three to six months.
UFE is FDA-approved, recognized by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and covered by Medicare and most major insurance plans. Dr. Fischman's team at Mount Sinai handles insurance verification and prior authorization before your procedure. Dr. Fischman also welcomes patients from across the United States and internationally; initial consultations can be done via telemedicine, with patients traveling to New York City for the same-day procedure. Contact (212) 241-4046 to begin.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Fischman at Mount Sinai, New York City — in person or via telemedicine. Keep your uterus. Skip the surgery.
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