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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffEach month during menstruation, you shed the lining (endometrium) of your uterus. Endometrial ablation treats excessive menstrual blood loss, which may be indicated by:
- Unusually heavy periods most months
- Enough blood loss to soak through a pad or tampon every hour on the heaviest days
- Anemia from excessive blood loss
Several options exist to help reduce menstrual bleeding. Doctors may prescribe medications or a progesterone-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) as the first line of treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding, but endometrial ablation may be an option if medications or an IUD don't help.
Endometrial ablation is not recommended for women who:
- Wish to become pregnant in the future
- Have significant cramping with menstrual periods
- Have cancer of the uterus
- Were recently pregnant
- Are past menopause
References
- 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.
- Sharp HT. An overview of endometrial ablation. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 4, 2012.
- Fothergill RE. Endometrial ablation in the office setting. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2008;35:317.
- Zacur HA. Chronic menorrhagia or anovulatory uterine bleeding. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 4, 2012.
- 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.
- Sharp HT. Endometrial ablation: Non-resectoscopic techniques. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 5, 2012.
- Hopkins MR (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 28, 2012.
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