Endometrial Ablation: Before Your Procedure
What is endometrial ablation?
Endometrial ablation is a procedure to treat very heavy menstrual bleeding or other abnormal bleeding in the uterus. During ablation, the lining of the uterus is destroyed. The lining heals by scarring. The scarring reduces or prevents bleeding.
During the procedure, your doctor will insert a lubricated tool called a speculum into your vagina. The speculum gently spreads apart the sides of your vagina. Your doctor may use a lighted tube (called a hysteroscope, or scope) through the cervix to see inside the uterus. A device that uses either a laser beam, heat, electricity, freezing, or microwaves will be inserted to destroy the lining.
Your doctor may give you medicine to help you relax. You may also be given medicine to help with pain.
The procedure can be done in a doctor's office or a hospital. It usually takes less than an hour. You will go home after the procedure.
This procedure is not recommended if you plan to get pregnant.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
How do you prepare for the procedure?
Procedures can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your procedure.
Preparing for the procedure
- Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
- Understand exactly what procedure is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
- If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if you should stop taking it before your procedure. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding.
- Tell your doctor ALL the medicines and natural health products you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your procedure. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the procedure and how soon to do it.
- Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance care plan. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.
What happens on the day of the procedure?
Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your procedure may be cancelled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of the procedure, take them with only a sip of water.
Take a bath or shower before you come in for your procedure. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
Take off all jewellery and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.
At the doctor's office or hospital
When should you call your doctor?
- You have questions or concerns.
- You do not understand how to prepare for your procedure.
- You become ill before the procedure (such as fever, cold or flu, chest pain, or shortness of breath).
- You need to reschedule or have changed your mind about having the procedure.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter U581 in the search box to learn more about "Endometrial Ablation: Before Your Procedure".
Current as of: July 17, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Kevin C. Kiley MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
