Is pregnancy after UFE possible?

One of the biggest misconceptions spread about uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is that it can not be performed if a woman would like to become pregnant. However, it is quite the contrary. UFE is a quick outpatient minimally invasive procedure that can be performed on women who have numerous large fibroids that are causing them fertility issues. In some cases, UFE is the only treatment option for women with numerous fibroids causing fertility issues.

Spontaneous pregnancy and live birth after UFE

There have been numerous publications documenting successful pregnancies following UFE. One of the best studies was published in the journal of Radiology. It tracked 359 women with uterine fibroids who were unable to conceive, and who subsequently had UFE. These women were followed for 6 years after UFE. Out of the 359 women, 141 became pregnant and 131 gave birth. For over 80% of these women, this was their first pregnancy!

Fibroids preventing pregnancy

Fibroids can occasionally cause infertility or prevent women from carrying a pregnancy to full term, resulting in miscarriages. Some of the factors that determine if UFE may be helpful in women with otherwise unexplained infertility are the size and location of the fibroids. If there is a fibroid within the uterine cavity the is over 6 cm in diameter, it can cause a significant decrease in the probability of conception, up to 70%. Depending on the location of the fibroid, they can alter the shape of the uterine cavity, stop a fertilized egg from implanting, or block the fallopian tubes.

How does UFE cause complications during pregnancy?

It has been previously thought that uterine fibroid embolization increases the risk of preterm labor and spontaneous abortion. Over the years, studies have shown that women who undergo UFE conceive at a rate similar to women with known uterine fibroid disease. In other words, it appears that their predisposition to developing fibroids is the culprit for their fertility woes, not the history of having a UFE.

If you would like discuss whether or not uterine fibroid embolization is right for you, please reach out to us for a consultation.