Health Risks of Endometrial Ablation

Rarely, endometrial ablation can cause serious complications. While these risks are not common, women should take the time to completely inform themselves of the risks, alternatives and how to minimize their risks before they decide to undergo endometrial ablation.

Identification

• Endometrial ablation is a surgical procedure designed to treat heavy menstrual bleeding that results in anemia, decreased sexual relations, fatigue and limited activity. This procedure destroys a thin layer of the uterine lining to reduce bleeding during menstrual cycles.

Health Risks Assoicated With the Procedure

• Complications that may occur during the procedure include burns to the vagina, bowel and vulva, perforation or puncturing of the uterine lining, excess bleeding, injury to organs in the abdomen and pelvis, and absorbing uterine-expanding fluids that are used during some types of endometrial ablation procedures into the bloodstream.

  Most of these risks are associated with the tool that is inserted into the vagina, through the cervix and into the uterus. If the tool is not used properly, or too much ablation occurs, then the above complications may occur.

  In rare cases, women may have a reaction to a surgical anesthetic or pre-surgical medication.

Post-Surgical Health Risks

• Post-surgical health risks associated with endometrial ablation include infection and scaring of the uterus.

  There is also an increased health risk associated with any pregnancy that may occur after endometrial ablation. After the procedure is performed there is only a rare chance of a pregnancy occurring, but if conception does occur there are increased risks of miscarriage.

  Endometrial ablation may also interfere with the diagnosis of early-stage endometrial cancer; women who have a history of endometrial or uterine cancer should not use this procedure for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding.

How to Reduce Risks

• To reduce health complications from occurring during an endometrial ablation, it is vital that women choose a doctor who regularly performs this procedure; the doctor must also be familiar with using hysteroscopy and ultrasonography tests to determine if the patient is a candidate for endometrial ablation.

  Post-operative complications associated with endometrial ablation are reduced through continual use of birth control; women who have this procedure must use birth control until they reach menopause or undergo surgical sterilization, or they may develop severe complications from a post-operative pregnancy.

  Women who have had uterine cancer, a recent pregnancy or infections of the uterus should not undergo endometrial ablation because they have a much higher chance of developing post-operative complications.

Alternatives

• Alternative treatments for heavy bleeding include birth control pills, hysterectomy and addressing side effects of heavy bleeding through dietary and vitamin support.