What Is Endometrial Ablation and Why Would I Need It?

Your uterus is lined with endometrial tissue, which thickens each month during your menstrual cycle and sheds during your period. This endometrial tissue plays a key role by preparing your uterus for the potential fertilized egg implantation — but it can also be a source of gynecologic issues like heavy periods, and more.

Endometrial ablation is a medical procedure to treat heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding. While it's not typically a first-line treatment, it could be the answer to your discomfort. Our team at South Valley Women's Health Care offers endometrial ablation as a treatment for heavy periods. 

Here’s what you need to know:

How endometrial ablation works

Endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive procedure to treat abnormal uterine bleeding. The endometrium is the tissue inside your uterus that builds up and sheds during your menstrual cycles.

When this tissue becomes too thick or develops irregularities, it can lead to heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Endometrial ablation uses either extreme heat to damage endometrial tissue and destroy it, and the procedure can greatly reduce menstrual bleeding.

The benefits of endometrial ablation

Heavy menstrual bleeding can have a serious impact on your health and your quality of life —  from restricting your daily activities to causing severe pain and even anemia. In these cases, endometrial ablation can offer some significant benefits:

It’s minimally invasive

Endometrial ablation is minimally invasive, and we do it on an outpatient basis. We insert a device through your vagina to reach your uterus, and there aren’t any incisions. This means less downtime compared to traditional surgical interventions like hysterectomy.

It’s nonhormonal

Unlike some other treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding, endometrial ablation is drug-free and nonhormonal. That means it can be a good choice if you can’t or don’t want to use hormonal therapies to manage heavy periods.

It offers long-lasting relief

If your heavy periods are caused by endometrial irregularities, endometrial ablation addresses the root cause — and it can make a big difference for your quality of life. Many women experience relief from both the physical and emotional burdens associated with heavy periods, and the results are often permanent.

When to consider endometrial ablation

So, is endometrial ablation a good option for you? We’re here to help you find the answer. Our team specializes in comprehensive gynecologic care, and we work with you to understand your needs and find a treatment plan that works.

While we often start by recommending conservative treatment, like hormonal birth control, we might recommend endometrial ablation for:

Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)

Excessively heavy menstrual bleeding is characterized by symptoms like soaking pads or tampons within one hour, bleeding for longer than a week, and passing clots larger than a quarter. It can cause other issues, like fatigue, anemia, and disruption of daily activities. Since endometrial ablation removes the endometrium, it slows menstrual bleeding significantly. 

Chronic pelvic pain

In some cases, endometrial lining abnormalities can cause chronic pelvic pain. Endometrial ablation can help alleviate this pain by addressing the underlying issues inside your uterus.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a condition where the tissue lining your uterus begins to grow into the muscular walls of the organ. This can result in heavy bleeding and pain. Endometrial ablation is considered a treatment option for women with adenomyosis.

It’s important to note that endometrial ablation isn’t a good option for women who want to get pregnant in the future. Because it destroys the lining of your uterus, it lowers your chances of getting pregnant and increases your chances of miscarriage and other complications.

Endometrial ablation is an option that can offer relief from heavy periods, and it could be right for you. Learn more with a consultation at South Valley Women's Health Care in Bluffdale, Utah. Call our office at 801-569-2626 or book online today.