If you’re near menopause and suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), you’re not alone. About 20% of women experience menorrhagia as they get close to menopause, but the good news is, it can be treated with endometrial ablation. Dr. David L. Greenspan is a top-ranked provider of endometrial ablation in Phoenix, Arizona, using the most advanced techniques so you can say “goodbye” to heavy bleeding and start enjoying your life again. Schedule an office visit with Dr. Greenspan to learn more.
The endometrium is the layer of tissue that lines the uterus. The endometrium provides a nutrient rich “base” for the fertilized egg. During your period, you slough off the outer layers of the endometrium and a new layer begins to grow.
Endometrial ablation is an outpatient medical procedure that uses specialized tools and techniques to remove the upper layers of the endometrium.
The average candidates for this procedure are women who have very heavy bleeding due to hormonal changes that occur during the months and years leading up to menopause.
Because endometrial ablation removes the top layer of the endometrium, the procedure is only appropriate for women who are done having children.
Endometrial ablation usually is only performed in women who have menorrhagia, a condition that causes extremely heavy periods. About 1 in 5 women who are approaching menopause will have menorrhagia.
Women who have menorrhagia typically need to use more than one pad to control blood flow, and they have to change their pads very often, even during the nighttime.
Menorrhagia isn’t the only cause of heavy menstrual bleeding, and before undergoing an endometrial ablation, Dr. Greenspan will perform a comprehensive examination to ensure endometrial ablation is appropriate for you.
Endometrial ablation can be performed using sedation or general anesthesia so you are relaxed and comfortable throughout treatment. These procedures can be performed using a variety of techniques, including:
No matter which technique Dr. Greenspan uses for your endometrial ablation treatment, he’ll begin the procedure by dilating your cervix (the opening of your uterus) to make it easier for the ablating instrument to access the uterus.
You can expect this procedure to take about 30-45 minutes.
Ablation promotes the formation of scar tissue that helps control menstrual bleeding.
After endometrial ablation, it’s common to have cramping for a few days, and you may have vaginal discharge for a couple of weeks. Most women find their periods are much lighter than normal or they may find their periods completely stop. Younger women who are in the very early stages of menopause may find their heavy periods recur and need to have a second procedure in the future. Having hormone therapy prior to endometrial ablation can improve results by thinning the uterine lining before it’s removed.
