Uterine Fibroid Ablation Risks

Uterine fibroids, or fibromyomas, leiomyomas or myomas, rarely require medical treatment. If it becomes necessary, treatment options include endometrial ablation, which carries some risks your doctor can discuss with you.

Uterine Fibroids

• Uterine fibroids grow in your uterus. They usually develop after puberty and before menopause and are not a cancer risk.

Endometrial Ablation

• In endometrial ablation, a doctor removes your endometrium, the tissue lining your uterus. Endometrial ablation techniques include freezing the endometrium, cauterizing it with electric current and destroying it with either heated fluid or a laser.

Infection and Bleeding

• While recovering from ablation to treat uterine fibroids, you could experience heavy bleeding. You might develop an infection, resulting in drainage, fever and chills.

Organ Damage

• While undergoing endometrial ablation, you risk organ damage through perforation of your uterine wall. Other organs like your bowel could also be punctured.

Fertility Risks

• If you undergo endometrial ablation while pregnant, you risk a miscarriage. After the procedure, most women can no longer become pregnant.