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Want to Put an End to Your Periods? Why You Should Try Endometrial Ablation

Can you imagine it? No more periods.

This is just one of the reasons why many women opt to invest in endometrial ablation in Plano. They love the idea of living their life without a period – simply because they don’t want to deal with it anymore or because of the monthly struggle with painful, life-impacting periods.

If you’re dealing with painful, heavy periods, your Plano OB/GYN might recommend this procedure. Today, we’re going to look at what’s involved during this procedure, why it works, and who is the best candidate for it.

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What Is Endometrial Ablation in Plano?

Endometrial ablation is a procedure in which the endometrium – the lining of the uterus – is removed. It is a minimally invasive procedure and is not a surgery. Instead, your Plano OB/GYN does the procedure vaginally.

There are a variety of ways your provider can destroy the endometrium, including the following.

Hydrothermal: Fluid is pumped into the uterus and heated. The heat destroys the lining.
Radiofrequency: An electrical mesh is placed into the uterus. The mesh expands to fit around the lining. Then, an electrical current (radio waves) is sent through the mesh.
Cryoablation: A probe is inserted into the uterus and freezes the lining.
Electrocautery: An electric current travels to a rollerball or wire loop. The ball/loop is placed on the lining and destroys it.
Balloon therapy: A catheter with a balloon on the end is placed into the uterus. The balloon is filled with fluid, which is heated.
Microwaves: A probe is inserted into the uterus. Microwave energy is sent through the probe and destroys the lining.

After the procedure, the endometrium will start healing, during which time scar tissue develops. It is the scar tissue – and the fact that there is less of the lining left to shed each month – that prevents or reduces menstrual bleeding.

The procedure itself takes about five to 10 minutes to complete, though you’ll be in your Plano OB/GYN office longer than that for prep and recovery time.

Is Endometrial Ablation Painful?

Your Plano OB/GYN will do everything they can to ensure your comfort during this procedure. This includes giving you medication an hour prior to the ablation to manage discomfort once the procedure is complete. Your provider may also numb your pelvic floor and provide sedatives, so you feel calm, relaxed, and comfortable during the ablation.

What about after the procedure? You might experience cramping and vaginal bleeding or watery discharge mixed with blood for several days post-procedure.

It isn’t uncommon for some women to develop constipation after a medical procedure. Do your best not to strain during your bowel movements. Instead, take a fiber supplement or talk to your doctor about taking a mild laxative.

What Is the Recovery Time for Endometrial Ablation?

Depending on the type of ablation you’ve had, your circumstances, and how quickly your body heals, it can take from a few days to approximately two weeks to recover from an endometrial ablation in Plano.

Some tips for a faster, more comfortable recovery:

Listen to your body and rest whenever you need to – sleep is vital for healing
Don’t insert tampons or engage in sexual activity until cleared by your doctor
You may need to avoid sports or strenuous activity for about a week post-ablation
Avoid soaking in a tub or swimming during healing time (to avoid bacterial infections)
Avoid douching

Typically, there’s no need for a post-ablation follow-up. However, if you develop any of the following symptoms, contact your Plano OB/GYN immediately as they are signs of a serious infection or complication.

Temperature of 101 degrees or greater
Pain that gets progressively worse
Vaginal discharge that has an unpleasant odor
Nausea, vomiting, and unable to tolerate any food or liquids
Heavy vaginal bleeding (you’re using more than one sanitary pad per hour)

Why Did My Plano OB/GYN Recommend Endometrial Ablation?

The most common reason women choose to have an endometrial ablation in Plano is that they’re suffering from heavy or long periods or bleeding in between periods, all of which are considered abnormal. In some cases, women deal with periods that are so heavy and so long that they can’t participate in normal, everyday activities – including work. It can also put them at risk of developing anemia.

Heavy bleeding requires changing tampons or pads every hour, while an abnormally long period is one that lasts over seven days.

Endometrial ablation can also help provide some symptom relief for women struggling with endometriosis and small uterine fibroids who don’t want a hysterectomy.

Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Endometrial Ablation in Plano?

While there are multiple benefits to endometrial ablation, not everyone is a good candidate for this procedure. It is not recommended in women who have:

Already gone through menopause
A disorder or disorders of the uterus
An endometrial disorder
Uterine cancer
Endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of the uterus)
Recent pregnancy
Current or recent uterine infection

A Note About Pregnancy

If you want to get pregnant or simply want the option to get pregnant in the future, you might want to consider an option besides endometrial ablation in Plano. This procedure removes/destroys the endometrial lining, which is where the egg implants once it’s fertilized.

Pregnancies after endometrial ablation are not normal and could pose threats to you or the child. In fact, researchers found that 85% of pregnancies after endometrial ablation ended in ectopic pregnancy, termination, or miscarriage. Those that continued had higher rates of:

C-section delivery
Preterm labor and delivery
Morbidly adherent placenta
Caesarean hysterectomy
Ruptured membranes
Uterine rupture
Neonatal demise
Intrauterine growth restriction

Since there is a chance of pregnancy, endometrial ablation should not be considered a form of birth control. Instead, you should talk to your Plano OB/GYN about other contraceptive options.

Is Endometrial Ablation Right for You?

No more periods. It sounds wonderful – especially if you’ve been suffering from abnormal period symptoms. But endometrial ablation in Plano isn’t right for everyone. Your OB/GYN will carefully evaluate your symptoms and their cause and create a treatment plan that is best suited to what you need.

Would you like more information about endometrial ablation in Plano and whether it’s right for you?

Call us today at 972-596-2470 To Schedule a Consultation

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