Heavy menstrual bleeding is quite a common issue many women face during their menstrual cycle. This causes exhaustion, fatigue, low iron levels, heavy pains, etc., and it can negatively affect the overall quality of the person’s everyday life. Clinics such as My OBGYN Specialists offer services that help women battle heavy menstrual bleeding. Below you can find more information on one of the available procedures called endometrial ablation.
This procedure, which is considered to be a minimally invasive surgery, acts as a very successful heavy menstrual bleeding treatment, and many women who have undergone this process have shared that they feel endlessly more relieved and that endometrial ablation is the way to go.
What Is Endometrial Ablation?
As mentioned, endometrial ablation is a surgical approach that is used to help women deal with heavy menstrual bleeding. In this case, it is done by destroying the uterine lining called the endometrium. The focus of the procedure is to reduce the amount of blood during periods, i.e., the menstrual flow, and sometimes women even stop getting their periods after this treatment entirely.
Another name used for the word destroying is ablating, so the term endometrial ablation literally means the process of destroying the endometrium, which is the main tissue causing the bleeding. One in three women today suffers from the issue of heavy bleeding, and if you are facing menstrual bleeding, which exceeds 80 ml per period, you might want to consult a doctor because it means that your flow is excessive. These signs are additional signals of this condition:
- Changing fully saturated pads or tampons very frequently (every hour)
- Wearing more than one pad at a time or using tampons and pads simultaneously
- Periods lasting for more than seven days
- Tiredness, shortness of breath, and other anemia symptoms
- Avoiding leaving the house because of the menstrual flow
Sometimes doctors advise taking intrauterine devices or birth control pills to reduce the bleeding. Still, endometrial ablation is much more effective, and it is used specifically for these types of conditions.
Some women should not use endometrial ablation as a heavy menstrual bleeding treatment, and this includes those who:
- Are suffering from uterine cancer, abdominal or pelvic cancer
- Have particular uterine conditions
- Are at an increased risk of uterine cancer
- Have an active infection of the pelvis or a urinary tract infection
- Want to have a baby in the future
- Already went through the process of endometrial ablation in the past
- Are using medication that can thin the muscles of the uterus
- Have an IUD
Preparation and the Procedure
A few weeks prior to the procedure, your medical care provider will check whether you are pregnant, if you have cancer, or if there is a possibility of developing cancer. Also, they will perform a detailed examination of the uterus, most probably using an ultrasound and a scope (hysteroscopy). If you have an IUD inserted, it will be removed, and sometimes the lining of the uterus gets thinned out because, for some types of ablation, the results are better when the lining is thinner.
Finally, the doctor should talk to you about anesthesia options. Although it is a minimally invasive surgery, it can be quite painful and uncomfortable, so numbing shots or general anesthesia are often necessary.
The procedure is done in the doctor’s office or an operating room. The patient’s cervix might be dilated because this creates space for inserting instruments and tools needed for successful ablation. The dilation can be done either with medicine or by using rods that differ in size and are inserted gradually.
There are different types of endometrial ablation, and they vary depending on the method the doctor uses to destroy the uterine lining. They include:
- Hydrothermal ablation, where a fluid is injected into the uterus and heated for 10 minutes. This heat destroys the lining, and this option is perfect for those with an irregularly shaped uterus.
- Cryotherapy ablation is the method in which a probe gets inserted into the uterus, and it is cooled. The cold tip of the probe freezes the lining and destroys it. Ultrasound is also used to track the whole process, and there are a few cycles of freezing, each lasting around six minutes.
- Microwave ablation uses a device that gets inserted into the uterus and uses microwave energy to destroy the endometrium. This approach is still being additionally developed.
- Radiofrequency ablation is an approach in which a special triangular device is used within the uterus to send out radiofrequency energy that destroys the lining in a few minutes.
- Electrocautery ablation includes using a slender scope to get a better view inside the uterus and a wire loop or a probe to destroy the endometrium using an electric current. This approach requires general anesthesia and is much less common than the abovementioned methods.
Recovery from Endometrial Ablation
There might be some post-op side effects which include cramping for a few days, vaginal discharge, which is watery and mixed with blood that lasts a few weeks, and frequent urination. Your chosen medical provider will let you know when you can go back to your regular routine and also when you can start practicing sexual intercourse again. You will also have to go to follow-up checks so that they can monitor your healing process.
Endometrial Ablation Devices
As mentioned above, different endometrial ablation devices destroy the endometrium during surgery. The devices are various, approved by the FDA, and non-cancerous. The methods can use heat or cold, and they are:
- Heated gas
- Radiofrequency energy
- Saline, which is free-flowing and heated
- Microwave energy
- Heated fluid in a balloon
- Heated water vapor
- Frozen balloon on a handpiece
Endometrial Ablation Side Effects, Risks, and Benefits
When it comes to endometrial ablation side effects, the most common ones occur right after the procedure, such as pain, cramps, nausea, vaginal discharge, etc. You might also experience diarrhea or headaches for a few days, but all of these side effects are short-lived, and you will be back to your regular self in no time.
The most significant benefit of this procedure is the reduction of the menstrual flow and the overall improvement when it comes to your life quality and functionality during your menstrual cycle.
As far as risks go, they can include:
- Injuries to the uterus and the vagina, vulva, or skin
- Injuries to the abdominal organs
- Infections
- Hemorrhage
- Gas or air embolism
- Retention of blood in the uterus because of the narrowed cervix
All of these risks should be discussed with your chosen doctor, and the mitigation tactics should be very clear to both you and your doctor.
Lastly…
It is important to underline that endometrial ablation is not sterilization, and if you do not wish to stay pregnant, continue using birth control. Also, pregnancy might be possible, but it might be dangerous for you and the child, so speak to your chosen doctor. Additionally, you might need a few months to see the proper surgery results, so be patient and talk with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Call Us!
Our clinic is here if you need additional help and guidance. No need to worry; just schedule a consultation and let our experts help you decide on the most suitable endometrial ablation option for you!