The experienced physicians at Kamm McKenzie OBGYN provide an in-office procedure called endometrial ablation. Endometrial ablation is a minor surgery that can help control or eliminate abnormal uterine bleeding. For some women, this procedure can be an alternative to hysterectomy.
What is Endometrial Ablation?
Endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive surgery that involves destroying the endometrium, which is the uterine lining where menstrual bleeding originates. The procedure uses either heat or energy to ablate (surgically remove) the endometrium.
Endometrial ablation is often performed along with the procedures of hysteroscopy and D&C. These procedures allow for a complete evaluation of the uterine cavity with both visual assessment and tissue pathology. The goal is a marked improvement in, or elimination of, your menstrual period. This procedure is usually done for pre or peri-menopausal women who have failed medical management of their abnormal bleeding and who do NOT desire future pregnancy.
The endometrial ablation itself does not prevent pregnancy, and pregnancy following endometrial ablation can have severe complications. Patients who desire ablation will need to use reliable birth control until menopause. One option is to consider permanent birth control.
Candidates for Endometrial Ablation
Endometrial ablation is a viable alternative to hysterectomy for some women. However, not all women are good candidates for this surgery.
- You may be a candidate for endometrial ablation if you have:
- Abnormally heavy periods
- Bleeding that lasts longer than 8 days
- Anemia from excessive blood loss
- Failed medical management of abnormal bleeding
Endometrial ablation is NOT a suitable treatment for women who:
- Women who are pregnant
- Women who would like to have children in the future
- Women who have gone through menopause
- Women with uterine cancer or endometrial hyperplasia
- Women with an active pelvic infection
Endometrial Ablation Procedures
In order to evaluate the uterine lining for abnormalities prior to the endometrial ablation procedure, your doctor may perform an in-office sampling of the uterine tissue called an endometrial biopsy to rule out cancer or pre-cancer.
Our office provides the convenience of “in-office” surgeries for patients. This means the ablation procedure can be done in a procedure suite within our office building rather than the hospital for your convenience. We will take into account your medical history and other relevant factors to help determine the best location for your procedure. At the office, we use the Novasure ablation device.
Novasure is a minimally invasive 5-minute procedure that uses a netted device and radiofrequency energy to ablate the endometrium. A wand is used to insert a triangular netted device that expands to fit the size and shape of your uterus. Carefully measured radiofrequency energy is delivered to the endometrium through the netting. After 90 seconds of treatment, the wand pulls the netted device back out of the uterus.
The physicians at Kamm McKenzie OBGYN can provide you more information about the surgery if you believe it could be right for you. Our providers will work with you to come up with a treatment plan that meets your individual needs. Call us at (919) 781-6200 to make an appointment.
