Safety and Efficacy of Uterine Artery Embolization for Uterine Fibroids: A Prospective Evaluation of Volume Reduction, Menstrual Pain, and Sexual Function

Objectives: Uterine artery embolization (UAE) has emerged as a minimally invasive and uterus-preserving treatment option for symptomatic uterine fibroids. However, data assessing short-term outcomes from both anatomical and functional perspectives remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of UAE on fibroid volume, menstrual pain, and female sexual function at 6-month follow-up. Methods: Twenty-nine premenopausal women with symptomatic fibroids who underwent UAE and completed 6 months of follow-up were included. Fibroid volume (measured via pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, MRI), dysmenorrhea severity (via Visual Analog Scale, VAS), and sexual function (assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index, FSFI) were evaluated pre- and post-procedure. Post-embolization complications were also recorded. Results: The mean fibroid volume significantly decreased from 162.4 ± 122.6 cm³ to 82.7 ± 83.9 cm³, corresponding to a 49.1% reduction (p<0.001). VAS scores for menstrual pain decreased by 27.6% (from 5.86 to 4.24; p=0.027), and FSFI scores improved by 37.9% (from 22.07 to 30.44; p<0.001). No major complications were observed; minor side effects such as postembolization syndrome were managed conservatively. Conclusion: UAE appears to be a safe and effective treatment option not only in reducing fibroid burden but also in improving pain and sexual function in symptomatic patients. While these findings support the multifactorial benefits of UAE, larger-scale, long-term prospective studies are needed to validate its sustained clinical efficacy.