Underlying Problem Requiring Endometrial Ablation:
An endometrial ablation is a procedure that is performed on women who have excessive vaginal bleeding. This bleeding is generally much heavier and lasts longer than what one would consider a typical menstrual period. Doctors may recommend an endometrial ablation for women who experience this heavy bleeding, who don't wish to have more children, and who have chosen not to have a hysterectomy to solve the problem.
Treatment:
An
endometrial ablation utilizes different instruments to destroy the uterine lining, also called the endometrium. The procedure is usually done with a local anesthetic, although general or spinal anesthetics are sometimes used. A hysetroscope is then inserted through the cervix to allow the doctor to see into the uterus. The hysteroscope will introduce heated saline into the uterus to burn the endometrial lining. There are other methods, however, including those that introduce electrical energy, lasers, or radiofrequencies to damage the tissue.
After the procedure, the enodometrium will scar as it heals. This scar tissue is what prevents the heavy bleeding for which the patient originally sought treatment. As many as half of patients will not have menstrual periods after an endometrial ablation, and about 90% will have less bleeding.
Recovery from Endometrial Ablation:
Of course, the point of an endometrial ablation is to decrease the vaginal bleeding associated with menstruation, so this should be an expected outcome. Recovery itself can potentially take up to two weeks as the endometrium heals itself. While the chances of pregnancy are lowered after an endometrial ablation, it may still be possible to get pregnant, so proper birth control should be used.
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