Endometrial Ablation

What’s endometrial ablation?

Endometrial ablation, a procedure that doesn’t require incisions and destroys part of the lining of the uterus. In most cases, the expert staff at The Women’s Group performs endometrial ablation as an outpatient procedure, which means the patient returns home when the procedure is complete.

When is endometrial ablation recommended?

The expert medical staff at The Women’s Group recommends endometrial ablation to patients when they want reduce or eliminate bleeding from the uterus. For some women, menstrual flow may stop completely after endometrial ablation. Our staff recommends endometrial ablation for patients with extremely heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days, and/or anemia related to menstrual bleeding.

What happens during endometrial ablation?

During endometrial ablation, the patient undergoes regional or general anesthesia while the doctor dilates the cervix and passes instruments into the uterus to destroy the lining. Doctors use different types of instruments based on the type of ablation being performed.

What are the risks of endometrial ablation?

Though rare, after endometrial ablation, women may be at risk of infection, bleeding, and damage to nearby organs.

Also, since pregnancy is possible but unlikely after endometrial ablation, our medical staff doesn’t recommended the procedure to patients who want to have children in the future. If a woman becomes pregnant after endometrial ablation, she is more likely to experience an ectopic pregnancy, a miscarriage, and other complications.

How do patients feel after endometrial ablation?

Immediately after the procedure, women may experience cramping, vaginal discharge, and frequent urination. Most women have lighter periods after this procedure, and for some, the menstruation cycle stops entirely. However rare, pregnancy is still a possibility, so our team recommends using an alternative birth control.

Who is a good candidate for endometrial ablation?

Women interested in learning more about endometrial ablation should schedule an appointment with The Women’s Group. In some cases, medications alone eliminate abnormal bleeding, thus avoiding the need for surgery all together.