Ovarian function after uterine artery embolisation

Objective. To evaluate ovarian function in 29 patients who underwent uterine artery embolisation (UAE). Methods. Twenty-nine patients with myomas of the uterus underwent UAE using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles with a diameter of 150 - 550 μm. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured before and after UAE. Results. The median age of the patients was 39 years (range 19 - 51 years). Two patients (7%) were menopausal before UAE was attempted. In 3 patients (10.3%), normal pre-procedural FSH values rose to menopausal levels afterwards (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6 - 26.4%). Only 1 of these patients was younger than 40 years of age (39 years). Of 15 patients less than 40 years of age, 6.7% (95% CI 1.2 - 29.8%) therefore developed a significant rise in FSH levels. One patient, aged 35 years, developed temporary amenorrhoea and endometrial atrophy, which returned to normal within a year. Conclusions. UAE resulted in ovarian failure in 7% of patients younger than 40 years of age and 10% of patients overall.