Endometrial Ablation Specialist

What is endometrial ablation?

Excessive bleeding and spotting between periods leads to embarrassing accidents, missed activities, and pain. Periods should typically last less than seven days, and the bleeding should be controlled with over-the-counter hygiene products. If your periods fall out of this norm, you should seek help to ease bleeding and ensure there’s nothing wrong.

Endometrial ablation is a solution to excessive menstrual bleeding. It uses radiofrequency energy to destroy a portion of your uterine lining, which is the source of your heavy bleeding. 

Am I a candidate for endometrial ablation?

Endometrial ablation should only be performed on premenopausal women who are sure they do not want to get pregnant in the future. You are also not a candidate for the procedure if you have an active infection, possible uterine cancer, or an IUD in place.

Endometrial ablation is an option when other, more conservative, treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding have failed to bring relief.

What happens during an endometrial ablation procedure?

Before undergoing endometrial ablation, your provider runs a pregnancy test just to be sure. After applying local anesthesia to your cervix, your doctor then places a slim wand affixed with a netted device through your cervix into your uterus.

Once in your uterus, the net is released to expand against the uterine walls. Your doctor then sends carefully controlled radiofrequency energy for about 90 seconds. The energy travels through the netting to target your uterine lining. 

Once the ablation is through, your doctor removes the netting and wand. You recover in a comfortable treatment room to come out of the local anesthetic and are then sent home to continue recovery. 

What is it like to recover from endometrial ablation?

Initially, you will likely have some cramping. You can manage the discomfort with a heating pad and over-the-counter pain medications. You’re welcome to shower, but avoid hot tubs, bath tubs, and pools for the rest of the day.

Don’t use a tampon or have sexual intercourse for about one week after the procedure. This gives your body time to heal. 

If you’re ready to learn more about endometrial ablation as a way to end heavy menstrual bleeding, call WHASN Meadows to set up an appointment, or reach out via this online website.