Suffering from menstrual issues and need a treatment that solves this problem in one go? Yes, it is possible with the help of endometrial ablation. It is a simple minimally invasive procedure to remove a thin layer of tissue (endometrium) from the inner lining of your uterus. This procedure is also known as uterine ablation. The menstrual period is basically endometrium shedding each month. Removing them makes your periods lighter and for some people, it may even stop completely. However, it’s not for everyone. Learn about endometrial ablation eligibility, benefits, and risks, so that you can decide whether to consider this procedure or not. Schedule an appointment at Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center.

Who is a good candidate for endometrial ablation?

Some women experience painful monthly periods that cause abnormal (longer) bleeding, spotting throughout the month, and hefty flows. A period is considered heavy when it lasts longer than 7 days or if you have to change your pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours. Passing large blood clots may also be a sign of heavier flow. Treatment of this problem starts with hormonal balance medication which includes various therapeutic options for the long term.

Here comes endometrial ablation which is minimally invasive and doesn’t need chronic medication to make your periods lighter. In some cases, it also stops your periods completely, but not with everyone. To determine your eligibility for endometrial ablation, you’re required to come under these criteria:

• You must be a pre or perimenopausal woman.
• You must be experiencing heavy periods.
• You have no desire to get pregnant in the future.
• You shouldn’t have cervical, endometrial, or uterine cancer.
• Your uterus must be free from any infections.

Who isn’t a suitable candidate for endometrial ablation?

While endometrial ablation is a good option for women who suffer from heavy periods, it is not everyone. Here are several criteria which make you ineligible for this procedure. It includes:

• You have uterus cancer: Any type of cancer in the uterus makes you ineligible, first, you need to be treated for cancer and then think about this procedure.
• You’re suffering from a condition called endometrial hyperplasia: This condition occurs when an abnormal thickening develops on the inner lining of your uterus that can lead to cancer.
• You were born with an abnormally shaped uterus which makes it difficult to operate. For example, you have a bicornuate uterus.
• You have a thinner uterine wall: It can happen due to previous uterine surgery, like a cesarean section or fibroid removal. With a thinned uterine wall, ablation can injure other nearby organs like your bladder or bowel.
• You’re menopausal: There is a higher chance of abnormal bleeding after menopause due to cancer.
• You have an active pelvic infection: This infection must be treated first because it worsens after the procedure.
• You want to become pregnant in the future: Pregnancy after uterine ablation is impossible and in rare cases, it’s possible but puts you and your baby in danger. That’s why it’s not recommended for women who want to get pregnant in the future.

Benefits

Endometrial ablation provides many benefits to eligible patients, including:

• Less bleeding after the procedure or little to no periods after the procedure.
• Menstrual periods are effectively managed with little to no pain, especially for patients who suffer from abnormal bleeding due to endometriosis. Medical research shows that 80% of women with abnormal uterine bleeding whose social, physical, and mental health is affected by heavy bleeding can live their lives normally after the procedure.
• No more bloating problems with heavy menstrual cycles.
• No more monthly cramps.
• Lower risk of anemia due to excessive blood loss.
• Lower risk of certain uterine infections.
• Improved symptoms linked with PMS include mood swings, irritability, and headaches.
• Improved sleep habits and lower “time of the month” fatigue feelings.
• Increased sex drive due to reduction in bleeding-related complications.

Side effects

Endometrial ablation is safe, but it’s not free from side effects. If you have any of these side effects, you should avoid sex, tampon use, and heavy/strenuous physical activities and call the doctor right away to lower the risks of infection and other complications:

• Intense cramps or stomach pain.
• Fever
• Chills
• Foul-smelling discharge.
• Heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop in 2 days after the procedure.
• Trouble passing urine

Risks

This procedure is not a high-risk procedure, however, there’s a small chance of complications like:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Tearing of the uterine wall or bowel.
• A hole/perforation in the uterus
• The fluid used in the procedure to expand the uterus gets into the pelvic cavity or in the lungs causing problems.
• Perforation (a device used in the procedure through the wall of the uterus damages nearby organs like the bladder or bowel).
• Overloading of fluid into the bloodstream.

While these complications are rare, you should talk about them with your doctor to decide whether this procedure is good for you or not.

Endometrial ablation is a simple, one-time minimally invasive procedure for women who suffer from heavy bleeding that affects their personal and private lives. However, it’s not for everyone. Factors, like pregnancy in the future, uterus cancer, infection, thinning uterine wall, etc. need to be checked and discussed first before considering endometrial ablation for you. Also, you should discuss the benefits and side effects of this procedure to help you decide whether this procedure is right for you or not.

Need help with heavy periods, visit our gynecology clinic for proper diagnosis and treatment that can help you manage your periods ensuring that they won’t affect your life as before. Call us to book your appointment now. At Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center, we have the best GYN doctor in Brooklyn, and we provide women with quality health care services. To schedule an appointment, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call us on 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at http://www.gynecologistbrooklyn.com/.