Endometrial Ablation

Causes

Hormonal imbalances: Fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly estrogen, and progesterone, can disrupt the normal menstrual cycle and lead to heavy or irregular bleeding.

Uterine fibroids: These are noncancerous growths that develop in the uterus. Depending on their size and location, fibroids can cause heavy menstrual bleeding.

Adenomyosis: This condition occurs when the tissue lining the uterus (endometrium) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. It can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding and severe cramping

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a hormonal disorder characterized by the presence of multiple small cysts on the ovaries. It can disrupt hormone balance and lead to irregular or heavy menstrual bleeding.

Endometrial hyperplasia: This condition involves an abnormal thickening of the lining of the uterus. It can result from hormonal imbalances and may cause irregular or heavy bleeding.

Endometrial polyps: These are small, benign growths in the lining of the uterus. They can cause irregular bleeding or heavy periods.

Preparing For Surgery

• Perform a pregnancy check : Endometrial ablation can't be done if you're pregnant.

• Check for cancer : A thin tube is inserted through the cervix to collect a small sample of the endometrium to be tested for cancer.

• Examine the uterus : Your provider may examine your uterus using an ultrasound. You also may have a procedure that uses a thin device with a light, called a scope, to look at the inside of your uterus. This is called hysteroscopy. These tests can help your provider choose which endometrial ablation procedure to use.

• Remove an IUD : Endometrial ablation isn't done with an IUD in place.

• Thin your endometrium : Some types of endometrial ablation work better when the uterine lining is thin. Your health care provider might have you take medicine to thin the lining. Another option is to do a dilation and curettage (D&C). In this procedure, your provider uses a special tool to remove extra tissue from the lining of the uterus.

• Talk about anesthesia options : Ablation often can be done with sedation and pain medicine. This may include numbing shots into the cervix and uterus. But, sometimes general anesthesia is used. This means you're in a sleep-like state during the procedure.

After endometrial ablation, you might have:

• Cramps: You may have period-like cramps for a few days. Nonprescription pain-relief medicine such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can help relieve cramping.

• Vaginal discharge: A watery discharge, mixed with blood, may occur for a few weeks. The discharge is typically heaviest for the first few days after the -procedure.

• Frequent urination: You may need to pass urine more often during the first 24 hours after endometrial ablation.