If you’re experiencing troublesome heavy bleeding, an endometrial ablation may provide the solution you’re looking for. At Southeast Texas OB/GYN Associates, P.A., the team of gynecological experts have extensive experience performing endometrial ablations, allowing their patients in Beaumont, Texas, to live pain- and hassle-free lives again.
Endometrial Ablation Q & A
An endometrial ablation is a procedure where one of the doctors at Southeast Texas OB/GYN Associates, P.A. destroys the lining of your uterus, also called your endometrium, to curb heavy bleeding.
The doctors typically turn to an endometrial ablation after exhausting other avenues to put a stop to your heavy bleeding, such as medications or an IUD.
Before discussing the causes of heavy bleeding, it’s helpful to review what constitutes heavy bleeding:
- Heavy periods that soak a tampon or pad every two hours or less
- Longer periods that last more than eight days
Sometimes, this heavy bleeding results in anemia because of the blood loss.
It’s often hard to pinpoint the cause of your heavy bleeding, but doctors believe the following may play a role:
- Hormone imbalance
- Uterine fibroids
- Ovary dysfunction
- Pelvic infection
- Polyps
- IUD
- Cancer, though this is a less common cause
An endometrial ablation isn’t surgery — the doctors at Southeast Texas OB/GYN Associates, P.A. perform the ablation through your vagina, using one of the following methods:
Hydrothermal
The doctor fills your uterus with fluid and then heats it.
Balloon
The doctor first inserts a balloon into your uterus and then fills it with heated liquid.
Radio waves
The doctor inserts a mesh into your uterus, which conducts radio waves that destroy the lining.
Freezing
Also called cryoablation, the doctor destroys the endometrium by freezing it.
Microwave
The doctor uses microwave energy to destroy your endometrium.
An endometrial ablation is generally very effective in stopping heavy bleeding, but it’s important to note that it may not stop you from bleeding entirely.
The odds are that you can’t get pregnant after one of the doctors at Southeast Texas OB/GYN Associates, P.A. performs an ablation, so you should consider this when determining the best treatment for your heavy bleeding.
While your chances of getting pregnant after endometrial ablation are reduced, there’s still a small possibility that you can conceive, so you should consider your birth control options after the procedure to be on the safe side.
To find out more about how an endometrial ablation can help put an end to your heavy bleeding, call Southeast Texas OB/GYN Associates, P.A., or book an appointment online.