How painful is endometrial ablation?

This device extends through your cervix and into your uterus, where it can reach the lining. Depending on the type of endometrial ablation, the device sends energy, heat or cold to destroy part of the lining. The technology makes things quick and you should have minimal or no discomfort during the procedure.

What does endometrial ablation feel like?

You may have strong cramping, nausea, vomiting, or the need to urinate often for the first few days after the procedure. Cramping may continue for a longer time. Do not to douche, use tampons, or have sex for 2 to 3 days after an endometrial ablation, or as advised by your health care provider.

How long does pain last after endometrial ablation?

You may have cramps and vaginal bleeding for several days. You may also have watery vaginal discharge mixed with blood for a few days. It may take a few days to 2 weeks to recover.

Are you put to sleep for endometrial ablation?

Some methods of endometrial ablation require general anesthesia, so you're asleep during the procedure. Other types of endometrial ablation might be performed with conscious sedation or with numbing shots into your cervix and uterus.

Is endometrial ablation worth it?

For many women, endometrial ablation is a good option because it is minimally invasive and avoids chronic medication use. Endometrial ablation can reduce abnormal bleeding or stop bleeding completely by destroying the lining of the uterus, or the endometrium, through high levels of heat.

Dr. Edmunds on How Effective is an Endometrial Ablation

Do you lose weight after endometrial ablation?

After the procedure, will I see weight loss? Endometrial ablation does not affect a patient's weight.

Is ablation better than hysterectomy?

Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is superior to endometrial ablation in terms of clinical effectiveness and has a similar proportion of complications, but takes longer to perform and is associated with a longer recovery.

Is ablation major surgery?

This is major surgery. You'll spend a day or two in intensive care, and you may be in the hospital for up to a week. At first, you'll feel very tired and have some chest pain. You can probably go back to work in about 3 months, but it may take 6 months to get back to normal.

Is endometrial ablation major surgery?

Endometrial ablation is a treatment for menorrhagia (abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding). Endometrial ablation is a common but major surgery with significant risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options.

How long does endometrial ablation surgery take?

How long does the ablation take? The procedure only takes approximately ten minutes, but you can expect to be in theatre and recovery for a number of hours.

Why are my cramps worse after an ablation?

Ablation invariably leads to scarring of the uterus, but sometimes endometrium can regrow underneath that scarring, McCausland said. Pools of blood can then build up, unable to escape, resulting in hematometra that can cause pain, usually to the pattern of a monthly cycle.

How long does bloating last after endometrial ablation?

After endometrial ablation most women feel the same as after a D & C. There may be mild, crampy, lower abdominal pain or mild abdominal bloating for a few days.

What is your first period like after a uterine ablation?

Most patients have a pinkish and watery discharge for up to a month or so. In rare cases, the first period after the ablation is heavy, but this will begin to improve thereafter. You should seek medical help if you develop a fever, pelvic pain not relieved by ibuprofen, vomiting, or a greenish discharge.

How long do you bleed after endometrial ablation?

It shouldn't take you long to heal from an ablation. Most women are back to their normal routine within a few days. You may have some cramping and bleeding for a few days and a watery or bloody discharge for up to 3 weeks. It's also common to have nausea and an urge to pee for the first 24 hours.

Which is better IUD or ablation?

In randomized trials comparing an IUD with endometrial ablation and hysterectomy, "the procedure that always wins is IUD insertion," Ghomi said. "It's reversible, it can be removed without difficulty," he said.

How long is ablation recovery?

The ablated (or destroyed) areas of tissue inside your heart may take up to eight weeks to heal. You may still have arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) during the first few weeks after your ablation. During this time, you may need anti-arrhythmic medications or other treatment.

What are the side effects of endometrial ablation?

What is the difference between a D&C and endometrial ablation?

You may take a bath or shower the next day. For a D&C, you may have some light vaginal bleeding for several days. For an endometrial ablation, you can expect light/tan colored vaginal discharge for several weeks after the procedure. You may have some cramping for 2 to 3 days after surgery.

What is Post endometrial ablation syndrome?

PATSS is a complication that potentially occurs following a global endometrial ablation in women with previous tubal sterilization. PATSS presents as cyclic pelvic pain caused by tubal distention from occult bleeding into the obstructed tubes.

Who should not get a uterine ablation?

Endometrial ablation should not be done in women who are past menopause and is not recommended for those with the following medical conditions: Disorders of the uterus or endometrium. Endometrial hyperplasia. Cancer of the uterus.

What age can you get endometrial ablation?

Endometrial ablation, rapidly becoming a standard operation for the management of abnormal uterine bleeding, is usually performed for patients between ages 35 and 45.

Does ablation cause dryness?

Side effects of the medication include vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and night sweats. The effects will go away once the medication is out of your system. Ablation is a short procedure. It is done as outpatient surgery in most cases.

Does ablation mess with hormones?

It will not affect your own hormones in any way and will not resolve hormonal symptoms like mood swings, bloating, and breast tenderness. Ablation does not provide contraception and you should not get pregnant after an ablation, so consider how you wish to prevent pregnancy following your procedure.

Can endometrial ablation cause mood swings?

A neuroactive peptide emitted by the degenerating endometrium causes changes to the vasculature of the Limbic System, which affects mood. Mood swings are nearly always perceived as being negative and burdensome, and they stop after Advanced Endometrial Ablation at The Ashford Center.

Why do they scrape your uterus?

A dilatation and curettage (D&C) is primarily a diagnostic procedure to sample the endometrium (lining of the uterus) but may also be used to treat conditions such as incomplete miscarriage. The procedure removes tissue from inside the uterus (womb).