A physician numbs the skin over her femoral artery in the groin, and gives the patient medicine, which leaves her conscious but sedated. The doctor enters the femoral artery and inserts a catheter, which is placed under x-ray imaging into the uterine artery. The particles will wedge into the vessels, preventing travel to other parts of the body, in an amount sufficient to block the flow of blood. Next, the other uterine artery is embolized. The catheter is then withdrawn from the body, the skin compressed for a few minutes and the patient rests for several hours to assure sealing of the artery.
Most patients go home the same day.