What’s the deal with endometrial ablation?
- Heavy menstrual bleeding affects 1 out of every 5 women.
- Many women begin to experience heavy and/or irregular bleeding in their 30s and 40s, as they begin to get closer to menopause.
- Heavy periods may impact a woman’s physical, social, and emotional well-being.
- Endometrial ablation destroys a thin layer of the lining of the uterus and stops the menstrual flow in many women.
- In some women, menstrual bleeding does not stop but is reduced to normal or lighter levels.
- Endometrial ablation is used to treat many causes of heavy bleeding.
- Medication is often a first option to treat heavy bleeding. If this is unsuccessful, women may proceed to an endometrial ablation.
- Endometrial ablation should not be done in women past menopause.
- It is not recommended for women with: disorders of the uterus or endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, cancer of the uterus, recent pregnancy, current or recent infection of the uterus.
- If a woman still wants to become pregnant, she should not have an endometrial ablation done.
- There are different techniques used to perform endometrial ablation. One of the most common techniques is using a device with a quick delivery of radio frequency energy.
- In our office, anesthesia is used during the procedure. Therefore, the patient does not experience any pain during the endometrial ablation.
- Minor side effects are common after an endometrial ablation: mild cramping for 1-2 days, thin discharge/light spotting for up to a few weeks, frequent urination for 24 hours, nausea.
- As with all procedures, there is a small risk of infection, bleeding, or injury to surrounding organs.