**2. Minimally invasive interventional therapies**

### **2.1 Uterine artery embolization (UAE)**

UAE is the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids by embolizing the vascular network of the lesion after reaching the uterine artery through the intervention, which blocks the blood supply of the lesion [2]. It was first reported in 1995 by Ravina et al. This technique has the characteristics of uterus preservation, easy operation, rapid postoperative recovery, and less postoperative complications and has become one of the effective minimally invasive alternatives in the treatment of symptomatic uterine adenomyosis. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has recommended UAE as a safe and effective treatment

#### *Endometriosis*

option for patients with uterine fibroids who wish to preserve the uterus (level A evidence) [3]. Therefore, UAE has been widely used in the treatment of uterine leiomyoma, and then UAE has achieved significant effect in the treatment of pain and anemia symptoms of adenomyosis, but there is controversy in the use of adenomyosis, which may recur after a period of time due to symptoms [4]. In recent years, more and more literatures show that UAE is effective in the treatment of adenomyosis, especially in the short term [5–7]. UAE treatment alleviated the symptoms of adenomyosis and made most adenomyosis patients retain the uterus [8].
