Five Things You Need To Know About Endometrial Ablation

For many women, a heavy or long-lasting period makes it difficult for them to enjoy the activities of daily life during their monthly menstruation cycle. Perhaps they worry about having to frequently change their tampon or may even bleed through their menstrual products. If heavy bleeding is affecting your life, consider having an endometrial ablation. 

An endometrial ablation is a procedure that removes the lining of the uterus; this lining is known as the endometrium. Your doctor can use a variety of techniques to remove the endometrium, such as electrical pulses or cryoablation (freezing the lining). Check out a few things you need to know if you are considering an endometrial ablation.

1. An Endometrial Ablation May Not Completely Stop Your Periods

For some women, an endometrial ablation completely stops their periods and they no longer have menstrual cycles. However, for others, the procedure just significantly lightens their monthly flow. Regardless of your final results, you should find that your cycle is much lighter after your procedure.

2, Endometrial Ablation Can Alleviate Other Help Problems Caused by Heavy Periods

In some cases, heavy bleeding can cause other health issues, such as anemia. Since ablation decreases how much you bleed each month, it can alleviate anemia that is related to your menstrual cycle.

Excessive cramping is another menstrual-related problem that endometrial ablation can relieve.

3. Your Family Should be Complete

Before scheduling your endometrial ablation, make sure that your family is complete. Though pregnancy is possible after the procedure, your chances of carrying a healthy pregnancy to term significantly decrease due to the lack of a uterine lining. You need your endometrium to have a healthy pregnancy. Women who do become pregnant frequently miscarry.

The results of an endometrial ablation cannot be reversed. In fact, some doctors require that you have a permanent or long-lasting birth control method before they will perform the ablation procedure.

4. You May Need to Have the Procedure Repeated

Though the results of an endometrial ablation are usually permanent, the uterine lining does thicken again for some women. If this happens, you may experience an increase in your monthly flow. If this happens, your doctor can repeat the procedure or may recommend that you explore other alternatives.

5. Recovery for a Uterine Ablation is Minimal

Endometrial ablation requires minimal recovery time. Most women experience a few uncomfortable symptoms, such as cramping, bleed, and nausea, for a day or so after their ablation. However, most women are back to their normal activities within a few days.

Talk to a surgical gynecology service for more information. 


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