A heavy menstrual flow is likely to get in the way of your everyday life. For instance, you may have to wear a fresh tampon every hour when you have a thick flow that might last longer than a week. In such instances, endometrial ablation is one of the procedures your gynecologist might recommend. A typical McDonough endometrial ablation procedure entails probing your uterus through your cervix to help destroy your uterine lining. Besides the treatment minimizing your menstrual flow, endometrial ablation will also help lower your risk of developing other health issues like anemia.
Why would your gynecologist recommend an endometrial ablation?
Several things contribute to your heavy flow. For instance, hormones, polyps or fibroids’ growth in your uterus may significantly contribute to your heavy menses. Medication is always the first treatment option your healthcare provider will suggest to help relieve your symptoms. However, the medical professional might recommend an endometrial ablation when medication fails. During the treatment, your gynecologist removes the endometrial lining to help regulate your flow or stop it completely. The process will be most helpful when you have a heavy menstrual flow, bleeding between your menses, or a menstrual flow that lasts longer than it should.
However, the treatment might not be a recommendation in all heavy-menses cases. Your gynecologist might not advise the procedure if you have:
- A vaginal infection
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Endometrial, uterine, or cervical cancer
- An infection of the cervix or uterus
- An intrauterine device (IUD)
- A weak uterine wall
- A cesarean section scar
- An endometrium disease
Additionally, your doctor may not advise you to go for an endometrial ablation if you are pregnant or want to conceive in the future. Instead of an ablation, you may discuss your contraception options with your gynecologist.
What happens during an endometrial ablation?
Since the treatment is not invasive, your gynecologist does not need to make incisions. The procedure entails inserting thin devices through your vagina and cervix into your uterus. However, the type of treatment varies depending on the ablation your healthcare provider opts to perform based on your unique needs. The most common types of ablation include:
- Balloon therapy. The medical expert guides a tube with a specialized balloon attached to the end during the process. Your doctor then fills the balloon with heated fluids that expand it to destroy the endometrium.
- High-energy radio waves. This ablation type entails inserting and expanding an electric mesh inside your uterus. The strong radio waves then release heat that damages your endometrium before your gynecologist suctions them from your uterus.
- Hydrothermal. Your gynecologist carefully pumps fluid into your uterus before heating it for approximately 10 minutes to destroy your uterine lining.
- Freezing (cryoablation). Unlike heat energy, freezing entails freezing your endometrium using a probe with a cold tip.
The medical professional may also use microwave energy or electrical current to destroy the lining to minimize your symptoms.
Though an endometrial ablation is not a sterilization treatment, it might become one, especially if it stops your menstrual flow. Discuss your fertility options with your gynecologist to know what to do if you want to have children in the future.
