Endometrial Ablation Lab Report
Introduction
Endometrial ablation is a procedure that destroys the thin inner layer of the lining of the uterus (endometrium). This procedure may be done:
To stop heavy periods.
To stop bleeding that is causing anemia.
To control irregular bleeding.
To treat bleeding caused by small tumors (fibroids) in the endometrium.
This procedure is often an alternative to major surgery, such as removal of the uterus and cervix (hysterectomy). As a result of this procedure:
You may not be able to have children. However, if you have not gone through menopause (you are premenopausal):
You may still have a small chance of getting pregnant.
You will need to use a reliable method of birth control after the procedure to prevent pregnancy.
You may stop having a menstrual period, or you may have …show more content…
only a small amount of bleeding during your period. Menstruation may return several years after the procedure.
Tell a health care provider about:
Any allergies you have.
All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
Any problems you or family members have had with the use of anesthetic medicines.
Any blood disorders you have.
Any surgeries you have had.
Any medical conditions you have.
What are the risks?
Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:
A hole (perforation) in the uterus or bowel.
Infection of the uterus, bladder, or vagina.
Bleeding.
Damage to other structures or organs.
An air bubble in the lung (air embolus).
Pregnancy following the procedure.
Failure of the procedure.
Decreased ability to diagnose cancer in the endometrium.
What happens before the procedure?
You will have tests of your endometrium to make sure there are no pre-cancerous cells or cancer cells present.
You may have an ultrasound of the uterus.
You may be given medicines to thin the endometrium.
Ask your health care provider about:
Changing or stopping your normal medicines. This is important if you take diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your doctor tells you not to.
Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
What happens during the procedure?
To lower your risk of infection:
Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands and put on germ-free (sterile) gloves.
Your genital area will be washed with soap.
An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
You will be given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
A surgical instrument with a light and camera on the end (resectoscope) will be inserted into your vagina and moved into your uterus. This allows your surgeon to see inside your uterus.
Endometrial tissue will be removed using one of the following methods:
Radiofrequency.
This method uses a radiofrequency-alternating electric current to remove the endometrium.
Cryotherapy. This method uses extreme cold to freeze the endometrium.
Heated-free liquid. This method uses a heated saltwater (saline) solution to remove the endometrium.
Microwave. This method uses high-energy microwaves to heat up the endometrium to remove it.
Thermal balloon. This method involves inserting a catheter with a balloon tip into the uterus. The balloon tip is filled with heated fluid to remove the endometrium.
The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
As tissue healing occurs, you may notice vaginal bleeding for 4–6 weeks after the procedure. You may also experience:
Cramps.
Thin, watery vaginal discharge that is light pink or brown in color.
A need to urinate more frequently than usual.
Nausea.
Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.
You will not be able to have sexual intercourse or insert anything into your vagina until your health care provider approves.
Summary
Endometrial ablation is done to treat the many causes of heavy menstrual bleeding. It is done only after medications have been tried to control the bleeding.
Endometrial ablation is a procedure that destroys the thin inner layer of the lining of the uterus (endometrium). This procedure may be done:
To stop heavy periods.
To stop bleeding that is causing anemia.
To control irregular bleeding.
To treat bleeding caused by small tumors (fibroids) in the endometrium.
This procedure is often an alternative to major surgery, such as removal of the uterus and cervix (hysterectomy). As a result of this procedure:
You may not be able to have children. However, if you have not gone through menopause (you are premenopausal):
You may still have a small chance of getting pregnant.
You will need to use a reliable method of birth control after the procedure to prevent pregnancy.
You may stop having a menstrual period, or you may have …show more content…
only a small amount of bleeding during your period. Menstruation may return several years after the procedure.
Tell a health care provider about:
Any allergies you have.
All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
Any problems you or family members have had with the use of anesthetic medicines.
Any blood disorders you have.
Any surgeries you have had.
Any medical conditions you have.
What are the risks?
Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:
A hole (perforation) in the uterus or bowel.
Infection of the uterus, bladder, or vagina.
Bleeding.
Damage to other structures or organs.
An air bubble in the lung (air embolus).
Pregnancy following the procedure.
Failure of the procedure.
Decreased ability to diagnose cancer in the endometrium.
What happens before the procedure?
You will have tests of your endometrium to make sure there are no pre-cancerous cells or cancer cells present.
You may have an ultrasound of the uterus.
You may be given medicines to thin the endometrium.
Ask your health care provider about:
Changing or stopping your normal medicines. This is important if you take diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your doctor tells you not to.
Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
What happens during the procedure?
To lower your risk of infection:
Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands and put on germ-free (sterile) gloves.
Your genital area will be washed with soap.
An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
You will be given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
A surgical instrument with a light and camera on the end (resectoscope) will be inserted into your vagina and moved into your uterus. This allows your surgeon to see inside your uterus.
Endometrial tissue will be removed using one of the following methods:
Radiofrequency.
This method uses a radiofrequency-alternating electric current to remove the endometrium.
Cryotherapy. This method uses extreme cold to freeze the endometrium.
Heated-free liquid. This method uses a heated saltwater (saline) solution to remove the endometrium.
Microwave. This method uses high-energy microwaves to heat up the endometrium to remove it.
Thermal balloon. This method involves inserting a catheter with a balloon tip into the uterus. The balloon tip is filled with heated fluid to remove the endometrium.
The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
As tissue healing occurs, you may notice vaginal bleeding for 4–6 weeks after the procedure. You may also experience:
Cramps.
Thin, watery vaginal discharge that is light pink or brown in color.
A need to urinate more frequently than usual.
Nausea.
Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.
You will not be able to have sexual intercourse or insert anything into your vagina until your health care provider approves.
Summary
Endometrial ablation is done to treat the many causes of heavy menstrual bleeding. It is done only after medications have been tried to control the bleeding.