Endometrial Ablation
North Springs Ob/Gyn
OBGYNs located in Colorado Springs, CO
Heavy menstrual bleeding or spotting between periods can disrupt your everyday life. At North Springs Ob/Gyn, Christian J. York, MD offers a solution with NovaSure® endometrial ablation. This advanced solution removes a portion of your uterine lining and is completed in just one simple procedure. To learn more, call the office in Colorado Springs to schedule a consultation with Dr. York to learn more about how endometrial ablation can help you now.
Endometrial Ablation Q & A
What is endometrial ablation?
Approximately 1 in 5 women experience heavy bleeding during their periods. This can lead to embarrassing accidents, missed activities, and pain, but it doesn’t have to be your normal.
Periods that last longer than seven days, bleeding that can’t be contained with normal hygiene products, or cycles that cause you to feel moody and depressed deserve an evaluation from the North Springs Ob/Gyn practitioners.
Endometrial ablation can help relieve abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding and other associated symptoms. The procedure involves removing a portion of your uterine lining in one short, in-office procedure.
Who is a candidate for endometrial ablation?
If you desire more control over your body and feel your heavy periods interfere with your daily life, consider endometrial ablation.
You should be sure you’re done adding to your family before undergoing endometrial ablation, as pregnancy afterward is not advised. It’s also not an option if you have an active infection, possible uterine cancer, or an IUD in place.
The team discusses the pros and cons of this treatment option with you before you decide if it’s the right step for you.
What happens during an endometrial ablation procedure?
You’ll be tested for pregnancy beforehand, just to be sure, and have local anesthesia administered to your cervix. This ensures you remain comfortable throughout the procedure.
Your doctor gently opens your cervix to access your uterus. They place a slim wand through to your uterus and a triangular netted device is released. The netting expands against the uterine walls. Then carefully controlled radiofrequency energy is released for about 90 seconds through the netting to target your uterine lining.
The wand and netting are carefully withdrawn. The staff monitors you for a while to ensure you have no side effects from the local anesthetic or procedure, and then you’re sent home to recover.
What should I expect during recovery from endometrial ablation?
In the first hours after your procedure, you may experience some cramping that’s easily resolved with over-the-counter pain medications and a heating pad. You should stay out of tubs or pools for the rest of the day, but showering is fine.
You need to refrain from sexual intercourse and tampon use for about a week following endometrial ablation because your body needs this time to heal.
If you suffer from painful, heavy periods, contact North Springs Ob/Gyn to see if endometrial ablation is right for you. Call to set up a consultation today.