In-Office Ablation

This simple procedure sluffs of the lining of a woman’s uterus, which greatly reduces bleeding, and therefore significantly lessens the monthly flow while you continue to experience your normal period.   Removing the lining of the uterus, however, effectively removes the cushioning the egg receives when it’s growing.  Once an egg is fertilized, it travels up the fallopian tube and is embraced by the uterine wall, which is rich with blood and all the nutrients the egg needs.  Without this protective cushioning, many issues can develop during pregnancy, so it is highly recommended that if you are thinking about having a child, you should not consider in-office ablation, though there have been cases of women becoming pregnant after in-office ablation, because it is not a form of birth control.

The older form of endometrial ablation removes the lining of the uterus, using an electrosurgical tool or even a laser. Some of the risks in this method include perforating the uterus, bleeding, or infection. Luckily, there are new methods and devices that can perform ablation right in your doctor’s office, such as removing the endometrium by using heated fluid or freezing temperatures.

Alternatives to In-Office Ablation

A more drastic measure involves scraping the inside of the uterus, a surgical procedure called Dilation and Curettage (D&C). For many women who experience menorrhagia, this is unfortunately only a temporary solution, which reduces bleeding for as little as a few cycles, after which the uterine wall builds up with blood once more.

The mother of all “fixes” is a hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus and is actually considered the only sure-fire cure for menorrhagia.  Hysterectomy, which is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia, is considered major surgery, and carries with it all the same risks, as well as hospitalization, and a recovery period that can be as long as six weeks.

NovaSure In-Office Ablation

A procedure called NovaSure, which is what Dr. Wells’ office uses, is a controlled dose of electromagnetic energy that easily removes the lining of the uterus, effectively lightening or even stopping your periods in a one-time procedure with lasting effects. 
 
There may be a couple of reasons you decide on an in-office ablation procedure.  The first is that it would increase your comfort level while you are waiting to adjust to your new bio-identical hormone regimen.  Though your hormones will likely regulate your period once the therapy is working for you, you can have the in-office ablation in the meantime, and return to your usual daily activities within a day or two, under normal circumstances.  This can be a tremendous relief, and restore a sense of security and well-being, even while you are beginning bio-identical HRT.

The other big reason is that you may decide that hormone replacement therapy is not right for you.  There are women who feel that no matter how helpful the drug, they simply would prefer not to put it in their bodies, and this is a personal choice only you can make.  If that’s the case, and you are experiencing the excessive pain, discomfort, and bleeding that comes with menorrhagia, you may want to consider in-office ablation as more than just a stop-gap solution.  Whatever you decide, as always, consult with your doctor, get informed, and make a decision, perhaps with your family or loved ones, as to what you believe is right for you.

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