It is estimated that about 10 million women suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding. Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) occurs more commonly as women are in their 30s and 40s. Menorrhagia may take a physical, social, and emotional toll on women over time. Physical symptoms might include bad cramps, fatigue, nausea, and headaches. Social problems may cause missed work or social events, as well as avoiding sex. Menorrhagia has been associated with moodiness, anxiety, depression, and lack of confidence. Until recently, often times the solution to menorrhagia involved a hysterectomy. In the past decade, much advancement has been made in endometrial ablations. Ablation involves destroying the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium), which is the tissue that responds to hormonal changes and produces menses. There are many ways to accomplish the destruction of the endometrium. At WHG we offer two different methods. Both methods can be performed comfortably in an office setting by using oral sedation and a local anesthetic. Neither method is meant as a form of birth control, and patients are cautioned not to get pregnant following these procedures.
At WHG, we will usually perform a sonogram and an endometrial biopsy prior to the ablation in order to make certain that there is not an underlying uterine cancer or ovarian pathology. The advantages of endometrial ablation over hysterectomy are several . There are no incisions, one can return to work the next day with no restrictions, and they can be performed in the office, and are therefore less expensive