UTERINE ABLATION

SYMPTOMS

Doctors might resort to recommending this procedure if you have:

• Excessive, and heavy periods
• Bleeding for eight days
• Anemia due to blood loss

Generally speaking, it is NOT recommended for postmenopausal women or women who have:

• Abnormalities in the uterus
• Uterus cancer
• Active pelvic infection

Risks

Although complications are rare, the risks of endometrial ablation are the following:

• Bleeding, pain or infection
• Damage to nearby organs
• Injury of the uterine wall caused by surgical instruments
• Future Fertility

Pregnancy can still occur even after endometrial ablation. However, there is a high risk of miscarriage due to the damage of the lining of the uterus, or a risk of an ectopic pregnancy where pregnancy happens in the fallopian tubes or cervix instead of the uterus.

Nevertheless, you can consider specific types of sterilization procedures after endometrial ablation. If you want to try the surgery, it is recommended to have long-lasting contraception or sterilization.

Preparation for the Operation

In weeks before the surgery, the doctor might suggest doing the following;

• Perform a pregnancy check as the operation cannot be performed if you are carrying a child in your womb.
• Cancer checkingwith the use of a catheter (a thin tube inserted to the cervix) to acquire a sample of your endometrium to be tested for cancer.
• Removal of IUD because endometrial ablation cannot be performed if ever you have one.
• Thinning endometrium,as it is more effective if the uterine lining is thin. Doctors might prescribe medications or consider scraping out the extra tissue, known as dilation and curettage (D&C).
• Discuss choices for anesthesia because some methods require general anesthesia or being asleep during the procedure. In contrast, others might be performed with sedation or with shots to numb your cervix and uterus.

Post-Operation

After the operation acquiring uterine ablation, you are expected to experience:

• Cramps for a few days. You can try medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve the pain.
• Vaginal discharge for a few weeks, with the most substantial being the first few days after the operation that in each release contains watery discharge mixed with blood
• Frequent urination during the first 24 hours

Results

A few months after the operation, endometrial ablation ultimately affects the amount of menstrual blood loss. Most will experience a moderate period, while others will entirely stop having them. Granting that pregnancy is nonetheless a possibility, it will be hazardous and may end in miscarriage. This procedure cannot sterilize you; thus, you must not stop using contraception.