The lining of the uterus — the endometrium — is shed by bleeding each month during a woman's menstrual period. Sometimes the bleeding is too much or too long and treatment is needed.
Heavy Bleeding
One in five women has heavy bleeding at some point during her childbearing
years. Heavy bleeding is most common for women between ages 40 and 50, as they
approach menopause.
Losing too much blood can lead to anemia (lack of iron in the blood).
About Ablation
Ablation destroys a thin layer of the lining of the uterus. This stops all
menstrual flow in many women.
Most women are not able to get pregnant after ablation.
A woman who has had ablation still has all her reproductive organs in place. Because of this, routine Pap tests and pelvic exams are still needed after ablation.
Before the Procedure
You will talk with your doctor and have a number of tests before the procedure
is done. The tests may include:
The Procedure
Ablation is a short procedure. It is done as outpatient surgery in most cases.
This means you can go home the same day.
Your doctor will use one of a number of types of energy to burn away the uterine lining.
Electrical
A loop or rollerball tool can be used to destroy the thin inner lining of the
uterus.
Laser
A laser device burns the lining using a high-intensity light beam.
Therma
With thermal ablation, a device or fluid is inserted into your uterus. Heat and
energy are applied to increase the temperature and destroy the lining.
Risks
There is some risk involved with many procedures. Most problems result from pain
medication, blood loss or infection.
The ablation procedure has certain risks. The device used may pass through the uterine wall or bowel. Rarely, the fluid used to expand your uterus may be absorbed into your bloodstream.
After the Procedure
Some minor side effects are common after endometrial ablation:
Finally …
Endometrial ablation works well for many women. If other treatments have not
worked, endometrial ablation may be an option for a woman who does not wish to
become pregnant.
This excerpt from ACOG's Patient Education Pamphlet is provided for your
information. It is not medical advice and should not be relied upon as a
substitute for visiting your doctor. If you need medical care, have any
questions, or wish to receive the full text of this Patient Education Pamphlet,
please contact your obstetrician-gynecologist.
 |