Endometrial Ablation

If there was very heavy bleeding which has not improved adequately with tablets or a hormonal coil, there is the option of having an Endometrial Ablation or a Hysterectomy.

Endometrial Ablation is when the lining of the uterus is burnt by use of advanced surgical equipment in order to stop the lining from regrowing each month and then to shred as the period. Although it does not guarantee the disappearance of periods altogether, most women who have an Endometrial Ablation at very satisfies with the result as even if there was bleeding they tend to be a lot lighter than before.

Endometrial Ablation surgery is almost always done under general anaesthetic because it can be painful to have this done awake. I always do a Hysteroscopy to check the uterus before and after the procedure. After the procedure, you may experience a few weeks of dirty discharge through the vagina because there would be dead cells falling out. This should eventually settle.

Although having an Endometrial Ablation means you keep the uterus, it is important to recognise that Pregnancy is no longer safe after a woman has an Endometrial Ablation and you have to use reliable contraception to prevent future pregnancy, which may include having a coil inserted or going on the contraceptive pill. I will discuss all this with you before you make a decision on having this treatment.