Post-embolization syndrome: what it is

Post-embolization syndrome

Post-embolization syndrome is the group of symptoms many people feel in the first days after uterine fibroid embolization (UFE): pelvic pain and cramping, a low fever, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, and tiredness¹. It is thought to come from reduced blood flow to the fibroids, which leads to tissue breakdown and inflammation¹.

A plain-language definition from the ProcedurePath glossary.

Written and reviewed by Varun Danda, MD, interventional radiology resident physician · Last reviewed October 25, 2026

What it means

After UFE, the fibroids lose most of their blood supply. As that tissue breaks down, the body reacts with inflammation, and that reaction causes the symptoms¹. It is an expected part of recovery, not a sign that something went wrong.

Pain is often worst in the first hours after the procedure. Other symptoms, such as fever and tiredness, can peak 2 to 3 days later¹.

What to ask before the procedure

Your care team plans medicine for pain and nausea before you go home. Ask which symptoms are expected and which should make you call, such as a fever that keeps rising or pain that gets worse instead of better.

Read more: UFE recovery timeline

Common question

What causes post-embolization syndrome?

It is thought to come from reduced blood flow to the fibroids after embolization, which leads to tissue breakdown and inflammation¹.

Talk with your doctor before you decide. This information does not replace personal medical advice. Read the medical disclaimer.

Sources

Managing postembolization syndrome-related pain after uterine fibroid embolization, Seminars in Interventional Radiology 2021 (PMID 34393350) ↩︎