Will endometrial ablation make my periods lighter, or will they stop entirely?

Endometrial ablation was developed to treat abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding. Most women will have no bleeding or just very light periods after ablation. Some women may wish to guaranteed that they will never have another spot of blood, but only a hysterectomy can make this guarantee. On the other hand, most women with menstrual periods that interfere with their normal activities will be very happy to have light periods after a short outpatient procedure. Amenorrhea (the lack of any bleeding) occurs in more than 40 - 60% of women that I treat, and is the "icing on the cake."

What if I'm just tired of my periods?

When I first started doing endometrial ablation in 1985, it was my feeling that only women who would otherwise need a hysterectomy should be treated. After years of research and experience, I feel the procedure offers the safety and efficacy of many other procedures that are done on an elective basis.

Would you be happy with MUCH lighter periods? I think it is up to the individual woman to decide if her bleeding is a problem. As long as it is understood that there may still be some bleeding after endometrial ablation, I think this should be an individual decision between a woman and her physician.

How can I still bleed after an endometrial ablation?

A common cause of continued bleeding is regrowth of the endometrium from adenomyosis (a condition in which the lining of the uterus grows into the uterine wall). Deep adenomyosis is one of the most common causes of failure of the procedure. If deep adenomyosis is suspected, an endometrial ablation may not be the best procedure. Click here to learn more about adenomyosis.

As with any surgical procedure, the skill and experience of the surgeon plays a major role in the success of a procedure. Since I have been performing, teaching, and doing research on endometrial ablation for 18 years, I can predict who will do well after ablation and who should consider other options.

Doesn't a D&C do the same thing?

No! A D&C is a blind procedure in which some of the lining of the uterus is scraped. This can be compared to mowing a lawn with your eyes closed - large areas may be missed. In addition, a D&C only scrapes the surface, similar to mowing a lawn. Unless the "soil" is removed, there will not be any long lasting effect. In fact, there has not been a single study published showing any long-term benefit of a D&C.

If I have fibroids (myomas) can I still have an ablation?

Many women with fibroids can helped by endometrial ablation, but the decision is more complex. Click here to learn more about fibroids and ablation.

I will be adding FAQ's as they come in, so keep watching this spot

—PDI

The medical information presented in this website represents the opinion of Dr. Indman, and is based on his knowledge and experience. It is not applicable to all patients or physicians. Anyone visiting this or other related medical sites should discuss symptoms, findings, and alternatives with their personal gynecologist.