Endometrial Ablation

Endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the removal or destruction of the uterine lining, or endometrium, in order to reduce or stop heavy menstrual bleeding.

This can be done through various techniques, including radiofrequency, heat, or cold. Endometrial ablation is typically performed on an outpatient basis and has a shorter recovery time than hysterectomy.

HOW IS ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION PERFORMED?

The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus that sheds every month during the menstrual cycle. To perform endometrial ablation, the endometrium (uterine lining) is ablated using thermal or radiofrequency energy. This destroys and inactivates the lining. This stops or decreases the bleeding during the menstrual cycle.

WHO SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION?

The patients who make up the best candidates for endometrial ablation are those with heavy periods, a normal uterus on ultrasound, and who are not planning to conceive in the future and have BENIGN uterine biopsy.

WHO DOESN’T MAKE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION?

  • Some patients may have an enlarged uterus due to fibroids or adenomyosis.
  • Patients experiencing other medical conditions like endometrial hyperplasia (wherein the endometrium thickens) or endometrial cancer.
  • Patients who have bleeding in menopause.
  • Endometrial ablation should not be used as a method of birth control. While it significantly reduces the chances of getting pregnant, it is not a method for preventing pregnancy. After endometrial ablation, there is a higher chance that pregnancy will end in miscarriage due to altered endometrial tissue architecture. Therefore, ablation should ideally only be performed by women who are not planning on having babies in the future.

RECOVERY:

Recovery from this procedure is relatively easy, with minimal pain for most patients.