Recovery From an Endometrial Ablation

Endometrial ablation is a procedure that cauterizes the uterine lining in women who are experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding. Many women opt to have this procedure rather than take the more invasive approach of having a hysterectomy. There are less risks to the procedure than a hysterectomy and the recovery time is much less.

When the Patient Gets Home

• The surgeon may use a variety of means to cauterize the uterine lining, but the desired result is that scar tissue is produced so that future bleeding is minimized. While the procedure is considered much less invasive than other female surgeries, such as a hysterectomy, it is still a surgical procedure, and the patient can expect some pain and discomfort afterward. Some spotting and discharge can be expected for a few days after the procedure. Most patients will also experience mild cramping after the ablation, so they may be sent home with a prescription to help alleviate any pain and inflammation that may occur, or the doctor may suggest the use of over-the-counter pain medications.
  If anesthesia is used to sedate the patient during the procedure, then she may experience some nausea upon awaking and possibly for the rest of the day. The doctor can prescribe something for this if it is severe. In these cases, the patient should use common sense with diet and slowly return to her normal eating patterns, possibly nibbling on soda crackers and sipping on water until the nausea subsides.

In the Days to Come

• Any pain outside of the mild cramping that is usually experienced should be reported to the doctor. The patient may experience a low grade fever, but if this continues past a few days or if the fever spikes, it should be reported immediately as it can be indicative of infection that will require antibiotics. Any type of foul-smelling discharge should also be reported to the doctor.
  While the patient may feel like returning to normal activities immediately after the surgery, the doctor will usually advise only light activity for the next few days. Complete bed rest is not called for under normal circumstances, but getting rest and keeping the feet elevated at least for the rest of the day following the procedure is usually advised. Any increase in activity that produces an increase in bleeding and discharge would indicate that the patient is doing too much too fast and she should limit any further activity. The doctor will advise that the patient abstain from sexual activity for approximately two weeks following the ablation. Tampons should not be used for post-operative bleeding, although a tampon may be used for any bleeding that occurs two weeks after the ablation.