Endometrial Ablation
SHREVEPORT, LA
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Heavy menstruation can stop you from living a full life. Left untreated, it leads to other health problems caused by severe blood loss. For many women, the only solution was to remove the entire womb through a hysterectomy. Endometrial ablation came in as a good substitute for surgery, giving women more options and saving them from enduring twice the pain.
If you’re planning for endometrial ablation, Dr. Catherine Vanderloos explains some main things you should know before going for the procedure.
WHAT IS ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION?
Endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive procedure to remove a thin layer of tissue lining the uterus. The main goal of ablating the endometrium is to manage menstrual flow by reducing it or stopping it permanently. Doctors consider your flow as heavy if your sanitary pads soak up within an hour or two.
According to the CDC, heavy menstrual bleeding is one of the most common issues in the US, with one in every five women reporting the condition. Endometrial ablation is a minor surgery and can be done in a small practice with no hospital admission required.
WHY IS IT DONE?
Endometrial ablation is done to cure menorrhagia and similar conditions occasioned by heavy menstrual bleeding. Excessive blood loss has many life-changing consequences and more complex problems like anemia. A successful procedure will cut your reliance on medication, and you can go back to leading your life as usual.
The procedure is usually permanent, but regrowth is common, especially in younger women. There are different methods and tools for conducting the ablation. The practitioner may recommend a procedure depending on various factors like uterus size, the extent of the condition, and more.
WHO NEEDS ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION?
Dr. Vanderloos uses the MARA endometrial ablation process to help women. This can make your menstrual flow lighter and keep you from developing anemia. Doctors usually recommend when heavy menstruation cannot be controlled by medication. You might need ablation if you experience any of the following signs of heavy menstrual bleeding:
- Your pads or tampons keep getting soaked up very quick, that you need to change them every hour or two
- Constant pain in your lower abdomen during your periods
- Tiredness, lack of energy, and shortness of breath because of excessive blood loss
- Large blood clots in your menstrual flow
- You have menstrual periods lasting more than seven days
- The medication provided to control your flow is not working
However, the procedure is not for everyone, and there are several situations where the doctor may vote against ablation. Post-menopausal women, for instance, will not need the procedure. It is also not recommended if and when:
- You’re planning to get pregnant in future
- You’re suffering from uterine cancers
- You have an IUD for birth control in your uterus
- You have a vaginal infection
- You recently had a c-section, and the scar is still visible
- You have a pelvic inflammatory disease
- Your uterine walls are weak
Explore other safer options with your doctor if you’re experiencing any of the mentioned conditions.
HOW IS IT DONE?
Endometrial ablation doesn’t involve any surgical cuts. Instead, the doctor will insert very narrow tools through the vagina to reach the uterus. Here are some of the common methods used to conduct the operation:
- intoHydrothermal: The healthcare provider pumps heated fluid to the uterus and destroys the lining.
- Electrocautery: The doctor sends an electric current to the uterus lining, shocking it to destruction.
- Cryoablation: This procedure relies on extreme cold to destroy the endometrium.
- Microwave ablation: Doctors send a probe with microwave energy to destroy the lining.
- Balloon therapy: The doctor inserts a heated balloon inside the uterus using a catheter. The balloon is filled with fluid and heated to destroy the uterine lining.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS INVOLVED?
This process is often chosen as a last-resort treatment before removing the uterus. You shouldn’t go for it if you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant. The uterine lining supports embryo implantation, and removing it means that you’re likely to experience miscarriages.
Other complications are extremely rare and might include the following:
- Puncturing holes in the uterus
- Infections or bleeding after ablation
- Causing burns or harming nearby organs
- Absorption of the ablation fluids into the bloodstream
We have other rare cases where the lining grows back and triggers the condition.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION SURGERY
When preparing for the procedure, you need to meet with your doctor, and they should explain all the details relating to the surgery. Like every other medical procedure, you will need to fill out a consent form.
The doctor will run a few checks to ensure that you’re not pregnant and do not have any conditions that might lead to complications. Try not to eat anything for at least eight hours before the test.
Let the doctor know if you have any allergies, and do not skip mentioning any medications you’re taking. A few weeks before the procedure, your provider may recommend medicine to thin the lining.
Do not skimp on any questions you might have about the surgery, including your concerns about anesthesia or even on losing weight after endometrial ablation. And if you’re worried about endometrial ablation costs, contact our clinic for the best pricing.
ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION RECOVERY
Most procedures can happen in-office, and patients will be up and about in a few hours. The recovery process may depend on other factors like the method used and type of anesthesia. Here are some of the things you might experience:
- You will feel a need to pass urine more often than normal in the first 24 hours after the procedure.
- We recommend wearing a tampon to soak the vaginal discharge. It is normal to experience a discharge or vaginal bleeding for a few weeks after the procedures. It’s heavier in the first few days and drops gradually.
- Some patients experience cramping and nausea for a few days, and these can be resolved with over-the-counter pain medication.
Listen to your body and alert the doctor if you experience any of the following abnormal signals:
- Heavy bleeding that goes on for more than two days
- Fever
- Severe abdominal pain
- Trouble urinating.
Be sure to follow all instructions from your doctor and remember to keep your appointments.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FOR ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION
Based in Shreveport, LA, Dr. Catherine Vanderloos is a senior gynecologist with more than 28 years of providing compassionate and superior healthcare for women. Our best-in-class practice supports different aspects of women’s sexual health, including menopausal issues. Contact us today and discover how you can lead a healthier and happier life with our help.
Image Source: Shidlovski / Shutterstock
DR. VANDERLOOS’ OTHER GYNECOLOGICAL SERVICES
VISIT CATHERINE VANDERLOOS, MD
Address:
460 Ashley Ridge Blvd | Suite 200
Shreveport, LA 71106
Phone: 318-865-4333
