Is uterine artery embolization (UAE) right for adenomyosis?

Uterine artery embolization (UAE), sometimes called adenomyosis embolization, can be a good fit when your main goal is symptom relief while preserving the uterus, especially if heavy bleeding and uterine bulk symptoms are a big part of your day-to-day life. It’s a radiology procedure that reduces blood flow to targeted uterine tissue to shrink or calm adenomyosis-related changes. Many patients report meaningful improvement in quality of life after UAE, and recovery is typically shorter than with major surgery.

Whether it’s right for you depends on what you’re trying to address (bleeding, pain, fertility, or all three) and whether adenomyosis is the primary cause of your symptoms or endometriosis is also part of the picture. In head-to-head research involving people with MRI-confirmed, therapy-resistant adenomyosis who were eligible for hysterectomy and not trying to conceive, both UAE and hysterectomy improved quality of life at 1 year, but hysterectomy tended to have an advantage for pain relief and satisfaction. If you want the most definitive option for uterus-driven symptoms, hysterectomy is the clearest treatment for removing the source, while UAE is better viewed as a uterus-preserving option that may help substantially but isn’t guaranteed to be as durable.

If you’re weighing UAE, our team can help you clarify your diagnosis (including whether endometriosis may be contributing), review your imaging and goals, and work out a plan that matches the level of relief you need, now and long-term. Explore our adenomyosis care resources, and reach out to schedule a consultation if you want personalized guidance for your decision.