Transient ovarian failure: a complication of uterine artery embolization

Objective: To report a case of transient ovarian failure shortly after arterial embolization for treatment of uterine fibroids, followed by recovery of ovarian function. Design: Case report. Setting: A university-based hospital. Patient(s): A 49-year-old woman with menorrhagia and anemia secondary to uterine fibroids and refractory to medical management. The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level on cycle day 3 before the procedure was 8.2 mIU/mL. Intervention(s): Bilateral uterine artery embolization for treatment of menorrhagia. Main Outcome Measure(s): Serum FSH level. Result(s): The patient developed amenorrhea and hot flashes 3 months after uterine artery embolization. Her serum FSH level at that time was 140.1 mIU/mL. Four months later, uterine bleeding resumed; her serum FSH level was 2.1 mIU/mL. Conclusion(s): Uterine artery embolization may hasten ovarian failure. This procedure should be reserved for women who have completed their child-bearing or are poor candidates for myomectomy. Patients should be counseled appropriately about the risk of possible ovarian failure. (C)2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.