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ENMinimally invasive fibroid care in El Paso
Find relief from heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, pain, and other uterine fibroid symptoms without major surgery. Imaging & Interventional Specialists offers uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), an image-guided treatment performed by an experienced interventional radiologist.
Personalized treatment planning and local follow-up in El Paso.
Recognize the symptoms
Uterine fibroids can affect your comfort, energy, work, sleep, and everyday activities.
Heavy or Prolonged Periods
Pelvic Pressure or Pain
Frequent Urination
Constipation or Rectal Pressure
Back or Leg Pain
Abdominal Fullness or Bloating
Understand the treatment
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids without surgically removing the uterus.
During treatment, an interventional radiologist guides a small catheter into the arteries that supply blood to the uterus. Tiny embolic particles are delivered through the catheter to reduce blood flow to the fibroids. Without their usual blood supply, the fibroids gradually shrink and symptoms may improve over time.
UFE is also known as uterine artery embolization (UAE) when the embolization technique is used to treat fibroids. Unlike a hysterectomy, UFE does not remove the uterus.
A clear treatment journey
UFE treats fibroids from inside the blood vessels using advanced image guidance rather than a large surgical incision.
1
We review your symptoms, medical history, treatment goals, and available imaging.
2
A small catheter is carefully guided toward the uterine arteries using real-time imaging.
3
Tiny embolic particles are delivered to the vessels supplying blood to the fibroids.
4
As blood flow is reduced, fibroids shrink over time and symptoms may improve.
Your decision starts here
UFE may be worth discussing if fibroid symptoms are affecting your quality of life and you want to explore a minimally invasive alternative to major surgery.
Your evaluation focuses on your symptoms, fibroid history, treatment goals, and available imaging so you can understand which options fit your situation.
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Periods that are heavy, prolonged, or disruptive.
Pelvic pain or pressure
Ongoing discomfort, fullness, or bulk symptoms.
Bladder or bowel pressure
Urinary frequency, constipation, or pressure symptoms.
Diagnosed symptomatic fibroids
One or more fibroids confirmed through evaluation or imaging.
Want to avoid major surgery
Interested in an image-guided treatment approach.
Want to preserve the uterus
Looking for an option that does not remove the uterus.
Treatment advantages
UFE offers a minimally invasive way to address fibroid symptoms while preserving the uterus and avoiding major surgery.
Performed through a small arterial access point rather than a large surgical incision.
Treats fibroids without removing the uterus.
Multiple fibroids can often be addressed during the same procedure.
Many patients do not require an extended hospital stay.
Recovery is generally shorter than recovery from major fibroid surgery.
Designed to reduce bleeding, pelvic pressure, and fibroid-related pain.
Plan ahead
IIS participates with many insurance plans. Our team can help verify your available benefits before treatment.
Coverage depends on your individual plan and medical circumstances. Call us to verify your insurance.
In-Network With the Following Plans
Ambetter Superior Healthplan
Blue Advantage HMO Exchange
Blue Choice PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Essentials
Children with Special Health Care Needs Program
Cigna
Department of Labor
El Paso First Health Plan (CHIP)
El Paso First Health Plan (Preferred Admin)
El Paso First Health Plan (Star)
HealthSmart
Humana Choice Care
Humana Gold Plus
Medicaid
Molina Healthcare
MultiPlan / PHCS
Novitas Solutions
Presbyterian Health Plan / Presbyterian Insurance Company
Railroad Medicare
Superior Health Plan (CHIP)
Superior Health Plan (Medicare)
Texas Medicaid
United Health Care
Workers Compensation
Questions about coverage? Our team can help you understand the next step.
Call 915-303-8977After treatment
Recovery is typically shorter than recovery from major fibroid surgery, but it still involves time for rest, symptom management, and follow-up.
You are monitored after treatment. Some patients go home the same day, while others may stay overnight.
Cramping, fatigue, nausea, or a low-grade fever can occur as the fibroids respond.
Your physician gives personalized guidance on work, activity, and symptom management.
Fibroids shrink over time, and symptom improvement is gradual rather than immediate.
Results & symptom relief
The goal of UFE is to reduce the blood supply feeding fibroids so they gradually shrink and cause fewer symptoms.
Patients may experience improvement in heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, abdominal discomfort, urinary pressure, and fibroid-related pain. Results vary based on individual symptoms and fibroid characteristics.
Less Bleeding
Reduce disruption from heavy periods.
Less Pressure
Improve pelvic fullness and pressure symptoms.
Better Daily Comfort
Support a return to normal routines and activities.
Compare your options
The best approach depends on your symptoms, fibroid characteristics, overall health, and treatment goals.
| Treatment | Approach | Uterus Removed? | Recovery | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFE | Catheter-based, image-guided treatment | No | Generally shorter than major surgery | Reduces blood flow so fibroids shrink |
| Myomectomy | Surgical removal of fibroids | No | Depends on surgical approach | Removes individual fibroids |
| Hysterectomy | Surgical removal of the uterus | Yes | Typically longer | Pregnancy is no longer possible |
Balanced information
UFE avoids major surgery, but every medical procedure has potential side effects and risks. Your interventional radiologist reviews these with you before treatment and explains what to expect during recovery.
Common Recovery Symptoms
Pelvic pain, cramping, fatigue, nausea, or a low-grade fever can occur after treatment.
Access-Site Discomfort
Temporary bruising or tenderness can occur near the catheter access site.
Less Common Complications
Potential risks can include bleeding, infection, or vascular complications.
Questions Before Treatment
Your physician can discuss how your health history and future pregnancy goals affect treatment planning.
Why choose IIS
Dr. Williams is the Medical Director of Imaging & Interventional Specialists and brings advanced training in image-guided, minimally invasive care to patients across El Paso.
Harvard / Beth Israel training
Advanced physician and radiology training.
Triple board certified
Interventional, diagnostic, and nuclear radiology.
Local El Paso affiliations
University Medical Center and Hospitals of Providence.
Research background
Peer-reviewed publications and medical research experience.
Patient trust
Read what patients say about their care, and hear their stories in their own words.
Local care
Two El Paso locations make it easier to access consultation, treatment planning, and follow-up care.
Murchison Drive
1310 Murchison Dr, Suite 100
El Paso, TX 79902
North Zaragoza
1351 N Zaragoza Rd, Building O, Suite 1
El Paso, TX 79936
Common patient questions
Answers to the questions patients ask most before choosing fibroid treatment.
What is the difference between UFE and UAE?
UFE stands for uterine fibroid embolization. UAE stands for uterine artery embolization. When uterine artery embolization is used specifically to treat uterine fibroids, it is commonly called UFE.
How long is recovery after UFE?
Recovery varies by patient. Cramping and fatigue can occur during the first several days, and your physician provides personalized instructions for returning to normal activity.
Does insurance cover UFE?
Coverage varies by insurance plan and individual medical circumstances. IIS participates with many plans and can help verify available benefits before treatment.
Is UFE painful?
Medication is used during treatment to help keep patients comfortable. Cramping and pelvic discomfort can occur afterward, so the care team provides a symptom-management plan.
Can UFE treat multiple fibroids?
UFE can often address multiple fibroids because treatment targets the uterine arteries supplying blood to the fibroids rather than surgically removing each fibroid individually.
How soon will fibroid symptoms improve after UFE?
Improvement is gradual rather than immediate. Fibroids shrink over time, and symptom improvement varies from patient to patient.
Can I get pregnant after UFE?
Future pregnancy is an important treatment consideration. If pregnancy is a priority, discuss your goals with your gynecologist and interventional radiologist before choosing treatment.
Schedule a consultation with our El Paso team to review your symptoms, imaging, and treatment options, including UFE.
