Fact Sheet From ReproductiveFacts.org

The Patient Education Web Site of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Endometrial Ablation What is endometrial ablation? put you under heavy sedation or give you medications The lining of the is called the . through your veins to make you unaware of the Endometrial ablation is a procedure that destroys or procedure and/or to reduce any discomfort. Using a removes the endometrium. lighted telescope, called a hysteroscope, the doctor will examine the inside of your uterus. Then the doctor Who needs endometrial ablation? will use a tool that has electrical current to destroy the If your menstrual periods are very heavy or last too long, endometrium. your health-care provider may prescribe medications that will cause you to have a lighter period. If the The following types of endometrial ablation procedures medication does not work, your health-care provider are often performed in the hospital operating room, but may recommend endometrial ablation. can also be done in your doctor’s office: Balloon endometrial ablation. In this procedure, the Who should not have endometrial ablation? doctor places a flexible balloon into the uterus. The • Women who are pregnant, who would like to balloon is then filled with hot fluid until it is big enough have children in the future, or who have gone to rest against the endometrium and destroy the through should not have this endometrium. procedure. Bipolar radiofrequency. The doctor places a thin wand, • If you have an intrauterine contraceptive device, or probe, into the uterus. When the device is turned you must have it removed before endometrial on, it puts out short waves of energy to destroy the ablation. endometrium. • Non-cancerous or pre-cancerous growths can’t be Cryoablation. The doctor inserts a very small probe treated with endometrial ablation. into the uterus. It is cooled to a very low temperature • Women with undiagnosed bleeding and suspected so that it freezes and destroys the endometrium. cancer should not have endometrial ablation. Is this a risky procedure? Will endometrial ablation make my periods lighter? It is unlikely that you will get hurt during an endometrial About 9 of 10 women have lighter periods or no period ablation procedure. However, there are a few serious after endometrial ablation. However, your periods injuries that could happen during the procedure. The may get heavier and longer after several years. If this devices used for endometrial ablation could puncture happens and the bleeding is bothersome or causing or make a hole in your uterus. This could lead to serious issues, you may need to have your uterus removed. bleeding or problems with other organs near the uterus, This procedure is called a . such as your bowel, bladder, nerves, or blood vessels. How is endometrial ablation done? The fluids used for some of these technologies could Several weeks before the procedure, your doctor may leak and cause burns. The fluid used for electrosurgery give you medications that thin the lining of the uterus. can cause an electrolyte imbalance, which is when You may also need to take other medications the there is too much or too little of the important salts in night before the endometrial ablation to make it easier your body. It is possible that further surgery could be to insert the devices used for the procedure into the needed, including hysterectomy. uterus. You still have a uterus! This means… Endometrial ablation may be done in the doctor’s Endometrial ablation only removes the lining of your office or an operating room, without anesthesia or uterus. You still have a uterus; however, it is unlikely with local or light anesthesia. The nerves in your you will become pregnant. This means that if you do uterus cannot feel heat, cold, or electrical stimulation. not want to become pregnant, you still need to use birth Endometrial ablation is usually performed using one of control. If you have gone through menopause and are these technologies. You may have cramping or other taking hormone therapy, your hormone therapy must discomfort after the procedure, but most women don’t include a progestogen (also called progesterone or feel pain associated with the procedure itself. progestin). Progestogens reduce the risk of developing cancer in your uterus. Though rare, some studies have There are several types of endometrial ablation, suggested that it might be more difficult to diagnose including electrosurgery, balloon ablation, bipolar cancer of the uterus after endometrial ablation. radiofrequency ablation, and cryoablation. Revised 2015 Electrosurgery is performed in a hospital operating For more information on this and other reproductive room. During the procedure, your doctor will either health topics, visit www.ReproductiveFacts.org AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE1209 Montgomery Highway • Birmingham, Alabama 35216-2809 TEL (205) 978-5000 • FAX (205) 978-5005 • E-MAIL [email protected] • URL www.asrm.org