Concerned about excessive menstrual blood loss?
If heavy bleeding is getting in the way of your life, and medicine doesn’t help, you may be a good candidate for endometrial ablation.
Endometrial ablation is a treatment for women who experience excessive blood loss during menstruation. The procedure surgically ablates the lining of the uterus to reduce, or curb altogether, a woman’s menstrual flow.
What is considered heavy bleeding?
- Soaking a pad or tampon every two hours
- Bleeding that lasts longer than eight days
- Anemia from excessive blood loss
Endometrial ablation is not surgery and does not require an incision or general anesthesia. Instead, your doctor inserts a narrow tool through your vagina to reach your uterus. The method for ablating the uterine lining can vary, from extreme cold to high-energy radio frequencies.
Recovering from an ablation
It shouldn’t take long to heal from an ablation. In fact, most women are back to their normal routine within a week. Following the procedure, you might experience menstrual-like cramps or bleeding for a few days, and watery or bloody discharge for up to three weeks.
It’s important to note that endometrial ablation isn't a sterilization procedure, so you should continue to use contraception. Pregnancy might still be possible, but it will likely be hazardous and end in miscarriage. Talk to your health care provider at the St. Charles Center for Women’s Health if you have questions about birth control options.
