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Cochin Hospital – Port-Royal · AP-HP · Paris Cité University
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IR Cochin

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) — Paris

Interventional Radiology · Cochin Hospital AP-HP · Paris

🔴 Uterine Fibroids

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Uterus preserved · All fibroids treated in one session · 90% bleeding reduction

Key Facts at a Glance

  • 90% reduction in heavy bleeding
  • 40–60% fibroid volume reduction at 6 months
  • 1 to 2 hours procedure
  • 1–2 nights hospitalization

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of the uterine muscle. They can cause heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), pelvic pain, pressure symptoms, and anemia. UFE treats all fibroids simultaneously while preserving the uterus.

Uterine fibroid embolization at a glance — At a glance

Embolization blocks the blood supply to uterine fibroids through a catheter, without surgery, preserving the uterus.

Criterion Data
Symptom improvement85–90% of cases
Volume reduction50–60% at 6–12 months
UterusPreserved
CostCovered by French national health insurance at Cochin AP-HP — no out-of-pocket fees

Data validated by the team of Prof. Anthony Dohan, Department of Interventional Radiology, Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité.

How does UFE work?

Microspheres are injected into the uterine arteries through a catheter, cutting off blood supply to the fibroids. The fibroids then shrink progressively over weeks to months, relieving symptoms.

Pre-procedure workup

Recent pelvic MRI mapping all fibroids. Gynecological examination to exclude malignancy. Blood tests. Anesthesia consultation.

Procedure

1 to 2 nights hospitalization. Local anesthesia and sedation. Catheter inserted via groin or wrist. Selective catheterization of both uterine arteries. Microsphere injection. Duration: 1 to 2 hours.

Results

90% reduction in heavy bleeding. 40 to 60% volume reduction at 6 months. MRI follow-up at 3 and 6 months. Gynecological follow-up.

Patient information sheet

📄

Patient information — Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Download before your consultation or procedure.

📥 Download (PDF)

Patient Information Sheet

📄

Patient information sheet

Download before your consultation.

📥 Download (PDF)

✅ Covered by French Social Security (Sécurité Sociale) · No extra fees · Cochin Hospital AP-HP

Related pages

Why this page is trustworthy

Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist of the department. Last updated: August 2026.

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