What’s the deal with endometrial ablation?

March 18, 2017admin

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.