Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) in India — Cost, Procedure & Recovery
Uterine artery embolization in India costs $2,500–$5,500. Non-surgical fibroid treatment by expert interventional radiologists. Book with Gaf Healthcare.
Estimated cost: $2,500 – $5,500 · Average stay: 1–2 days
Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a minimally invasive interventional radiology procedure that shrinks uterine fibroids by blocking their blood supply. It preserves the uterus, requires no surgical incision, and is an effective alternative to myomectomy or hysterectomy for women with symptomatic fibroids who wish to avoid surgery. India's interventional radiology units offer UAE with digital subtraction angiography and modern microsphere embolic agents at 70–80% lower cost than Western centres.
What Is Uterine Artery Embolization?
UAE involves inserting a catheter into the femoral artery (groin) under local anaesthesia, navigating it under X-ray fluoroscopy to the uterine arteries, and injecting tiny microspheres (polyvinyl alcohol or calibrated gelatin spheres) that permanently block blood flow to the fibroids. Deprived of their blood supply, fibroids infarct and shrink by 40–60% over 3–6 months. Symptoms of heavy bleeding, bulk, and pelvic pressure improve in 85–90% of patients.
Who Is Suitable for UAE?
Women with symptomatic uterine fibroids (heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, pressure, or urinary frequency) who wish to preserve their uterus, who wish to avoid surgery or are poor surgical candidates, and who do not plan future pregnancy (UAE has uncertain effects on fertility and obstetric outcomes — myomectomy is preferred for fertility preservation). UAE is most effective for subserosal and intramural fibroids.
UAE Procedure in India
Under local anaesthesia and moderate sedation, a 5-French catheter is introduced through the femoral artery. Digital subtraction angiography identifies the uterine arteries. The catheter is navigated into each uterine artery sequentially and calibrated microspheres (500–900 μm) are injected until flow stasis is achieved. Both uterine arteries are embolised in the same session. Total fluoroscopy time is 20–40 minutes. Post-procedure pain (post-embolisation syndrome) is managed with scheduled NSAIDs and opioids for 24–48 hours.
Procedure Steps
- Femoral artery accessed under local anaesthesia
- 5-French catheter navigated to the right uterine artery under fluoroscopy
- Digital subtraction angiography confirms fibroid vascularity
- Microspheres injected until flow stasis
- Catheter repositioned to left uterine artery — repeated
- Final angiography confirms bilateral embolisation
- Catheter withdrawn — arterial closure device applied
- 24–48 hours of inpatient pain management
Cost Comparison Worldwide
Country — Range — Savings
--- — --- — ---
India — $2,500 – $5,500 — Save 70–80%
UAE — $4,000 – $9,000 — Save 55–65%
United Kingdom — $8,000 – $16,000 — Baseline
United States — $10,000 – $25,000 — —
UAE in India costs $2,500–$5,500 — saving patients $15,000–$20,000 compared to the United States, while achieving the same fibroid shrinkage outcomes with evidence from international clinical trials.
Recovery & Follow-up
1–2 days of inpatient stay for pain management. Post-embolisation syndrome (pelvic pain, low-grade fever, nausea) resolves within 3–5 days. Return to normal activities within 7–10 days. Fibroid shrinkage is progressive — MRI at 3 and 6 months documents response.
Recovery Tips
- Scheduled ibuprofen 600 mg every 8 hours for the first 5 days controls post-embolisation pain
- Light diet for 2–3 days — nausea is common in the first 48 hours
- Vaginal passage of small fibroid fragments (expulsion) may occur in weeks following UAE — normal
- Heavy menstrual bleeding typically improves by the second post-UAE period
- MRI at 3–6 months confirms fibroid volume reduction
Risks & Complications
Risks include post-embolisation syndrome (pain, fever — universal and expected), non-target embolisation (<1%), ovarian failure (1–2% in women near menopause), uterine infection/abscess (1%), and treatment failure (10–15% requiring further intervention). UAE should not be performed for pedunculated submucosal fibroids.
Why GAF Healthcare
Gaf Healthcare partner interventional radiologists have performed over 300 UAE procedures each, using advanced digital angiography suites and calibrated microsphere technology for optimal fibroid coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How effective is UAE for heavy menstrual bleeding?
UAE controls heavy menstrual bleeding in 85–90% of patients. 85% report significant reduction or cessation of heavy periods at 12 months.
Do fibroids come back after UAE?
Embolised fibroids permanently infarct and do not regrow. New fibroids can develop from residual myometrial cells, occurring in approximately 10–15% at 5 years.
Can I get pregnant after UAE?
Pregnancy after UAE is possible but carries higher risks — miscarriage, preterm birth, malpresentation, and postpartum haemorrhage rates are increased. Myomectomy is preferred for women desiring future pregnancy.
How long does it take for fibroids to shrink after UAE?
Fibroids shrink by 40–60% over 3–6 months. Symptom improvement (bleeding, pain) typically begins within the first 1–2 post-UAE periods.
Is UAE available for adenomyosis?
Yes. UAE for adenomyosis achieves symptom relief in approximately 60–70% of patients at 12 months. Gaf Healthcare partner interventional radiologists have specific experience with adenomyosis embolisation.