Endometrial ablation is a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure used to treat abnormal or heavy periods, known to your doctor as “heavy menstrual bleeding” or “menorrhagia”. By destroying the tissue that lines the inside of your uterus (the endometrium) — the same tissue that builds up and sloughs off blood during your period — endometrial ablations can significantly reduce blood loss and relieve painful cramping. Endometrial ablations can provide a higher quality of life to those who suffer from heavy periods, helping women get back to the activities they enjoy without worrying about leaking through their clothes, severe menstrual cramping, and other side effects of heavy periods.

Endometrial ablations treat the blood loss associated with heavy periods, and may improve pain and other PMS symptoms. Ablation is a great treatment option for women who have previously tried and discontinued medical therapy — hormone-based medications like a birth control pill, intrauterine device (IUD), arm implant, etc — due to problematic side effects or for those who cannot or do not want to take hormonal birth control. Endometrial ablations are a more conservative and less invasive procedure than a hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus), offering a less disruptive treatment experience with fewer risks and faster recovery times. It’s important to note, however, that a hysterectomy is the only treatment guaranteed to stop your period altogether. Instead, endometrial ablations aim to reduce excessive bleeding to restore a lighter or more normal period.

Endometrial ablations can be performed either in the office or in an outpatient setting, such as a hospital or surgery center. If you receive treatment in your gynecologist’s office, the procedure will be performed while you lie on the exam table. For traditional heat-based ablations, you will receive IV sedation or general anesthesia before the treatment begins. If your doctor uses cryotherapy, you will have the option to choose a less extensive pain control method, like over-the-counter or prescription pain medications or anxiety medications. If you receive treatment in a hospital or surgery center, you will arrive early and get set up with an IV for sedation during the procedure.

During the procedure, your gynecologist will place a probe into your uterus to administer either heat-based or cold-based energy to destroy the endometrium. While each procedure varies based on each patient’s needs and the chosen technique, the ablation treatment itself is completed within minutes.

Many women are good candidates, but there are certain factors that can lower your chances of a satisfactory treatment outcome or increase your risk of developing other conditions, especially with traditional ablation techniques. Including: