Endometrial ablation

The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Endometrial ablation risks may include:

  • A puncture injury (perforation) of the uterine wall from surgical instruments
  • Heat or cold damage to nearby organs
  • Pain, bleeding or infection

Future fertility
After endometrial ablation, pregnancy is still possible in some women. However, these pregnancies may be higher risk to both mother and baby. The pregnancy may end in miscarriage because the lining of the uterus has been damaged. Women who want to become pregnant in the future should not have endometrial ablation. Some women choose a sterilization procedure at the time of endometrial ablation to prevent pregnancy.

How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Frequently asked questions. Special procedures FAQ134. Endometrial ablation. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/25741BBE1E6F447F91C89B8BEF9505F8.ashx. Accessed Sept. 4, 2012.
  2. Sharp HT. An overview of endometrial ablation. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 4, 2012.
  3. Fothergill RE. Endometrial ablation in the office setting. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2008;35:317.
  4. Zacur HA. Chronic menorrhagia or anovulatory uterine bleeding. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 4, 2012.
  5. Lentz GM, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/linkTo?type=bookPage&isbn=978-0-323-06986-1&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-06986-1..C2009-0-48752-X--TOP. Accessed Sept. 4, 2012.
  6. Sharp HT. Endometrial ablation: Non-resectoscopic techniques. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 5, 2012.
  7. Hopkins MR (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 28, 2012.
MY01113 Oct. 11, 2012

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger