Endometrial ablation

Endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive gynecological surgical procedure that ablates or destroys the endometrium, or lining, of the uterus. This destruction causes the formation of scar tissue, preventing the endometrium from regrowing. The decrease in regrowth is intended to reduce the amount of bleeding. Endometrial ablation is typically used to address abnormal uterine bleeding, which can be a symptom of multiple health conditions. Endometrial ablation does not cure any medical conditions, it is used to reduce symptoms that conditions cause. This procedure can cause patients to experience permanent side effects and long-term complications. There are very limited surgical treatments to address abnormal uterine bleeding, the only other option being hysterectomy. It is estimated that around 500,000 patients undergo endometrial ablation procedures each year. This procedure is usually performed by a gynecologist.

Endometrial ablation is typically done in a minimally invasive manner with no external incisions. Slender tools are inserted through the vagina and into the uterus. In some forms of the procedure, one of these tools may be a camera (hysteroscope) to assist with visualization. Other tools include those that harness electricity, high-energy radio waves, heated fluids, or cold temperature to destroy the endometrial lining.

The procedure is almost always performed as an outpatient treatment, either at a hospital, ambulatory surgery center, or physician's office. Patients will most commonly undergo local and/or light sedative anesthesia, or if necessary, general or spinal anesthesia.

Due to the uterine changes that take place after undergoing ablation, patients are unlikely to be able to become pregnant after the procedure, and in pregnancies that do occur, complication risk is high. To reduce the associated mortality risks, it is often recommended for patients to adhere to birth control methods after undergoing endometrial ablation.