Is Endometrial Ablation Right for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding? What You Need to Know

If you’re planning your schedule around your periods, changing pads every couple of hours, or feeling exhausted from the heavy blood loss each month, you’re not alone: Heavy menstrual bleeding, also called menorrhagia, affects millions of women worldwide. But it isn’t something you have to live with. 

For many women, treatments like endometrial ablation offer long-lasting relief by significantly reducing or even eliminating menstrual bleeding. However, while this minimally invasive procedure is highly effective, it isn’t the best option for everyone.

At Premier Obstetrics and Gynecology in Winter Park, Oviedo, and Lake Mary, Florida, our experienced gynecologists perform endometrial ablation for women struggling with heavy periods. Here’s what you need to know about the procedure, who might benefit, and what to expect during and after treatment. 

When is menstrual bleeding considered “heavy”?

Every woman’s menstrual cycle is different. Signs that your period is heavier than normal include:

• Bleeding for more than seven days
• Soaking through pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours
• Needing to double up on pads
• Passing quarter-sized blood clots

Heavy menstrual bleeding can also lead to iron-deficiency anemia, causing symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

Endometrial ablation: How it works

Endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive gynecological procedure that destroys the lining of your uterus, called the endometrium. This lining grows during your cycle in preparation for pregnancy. When you don’t conceive, your body sheds the lining during your period. 

By destroying the lining, endometrial ablation significantly reduces the amount of tissue that builds up every month. As a result, menstrual bleeding becomes lighter; for some women, periods stop altogether.

Who might benefit from endometrial ablation

Our team might talk to you about endometrial ablation if you have heavy menstrual bleeding that hasn’t improved medical interventions like hormonal birth control or other medications. 

However, the procedure isn’t appropriate for everyone, We may not recommend endometrial ablation if you:

• Have future pregnancy plans
• Have gynecological precancerous or cancerous conditions
• Use medication that affects the uterus
• Have a uterine structural abnormality

Although pregnancy is much less likely after endometrial ablation, it can still occur and carries a serious risk for both mother and baby. For this reason, we recommend the procedure only for women who have finished having children. Further, reliable birth control is needed afterward. 

During your consultation, we review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and determine if endometrial ablation is the safest and most effective treatment for you. 

What to expect during and after 

Several techniques are available to perform endometrial ablation, including radiofrequency energy, heated gas, microwave energy, or extreme cold. Our preferred method uses radiofrequency energy. 

For the procedure, we gently dilate the cervix and insert a wand into the uterus. The device expands a small mesh array that delivers radiofrequency energy to ablate the uterine lining.

You may experience intense menstrual-like cramps and pressure during the procedure. We can talk to you about pain management options that can help you feel as comfortable as possible.

Afterward, mild cramping may continue for a couple of days, and it’s common to have watery or blood-tinged discharge for several weeks until your uterus heals. Most women can return to their normal activities within a day. 

Though individual results vary, many women experience significant improvements in their heavy bleeding within a few months. In some cases, they may no longer bleed.

We can answer your questions about endometrial ablation

Heavy menstrual bleeding can interfere with work, family life, and overall well-being, but effective treatment is available. Endometrial ablation can provide lasting relief for many women — but it may not be the right choice for everyone.

If heavy periods affect your quality of life, our team can help. Call Premier Obstetrics and Gynecology today or book an appointment online to learn how.