Endometrial Ablation

Removal of the womb lining e.g. with NovaSure

Women whose heavy periods are caused by a thicker endometrium (womb lining) may benefit from the removal of the endometrium. This procedure can reduce heavy bleeding or even stop it completely. An endometrial ablation is an innovative method of treatment during which the womb lining is removed. It is a one-off, quick, procedure.

Outpatient operation

Outpatient procedures are performed under local anaesthetic. You will be given a local anaesthetic in your cervix (the neck of your womb) and maybe the uterus (womb), you may also be given a sedative. The procedure will then be performed. You may feel pressure in your lower abdomen during surgery. Any pain usually subsides rapidly after the procedure, so you can go home the same day.

Day surgery

It is also possible to have the treatment under general anaesthetic (or epidural). In that case, it is carried out on a day surgery basis. You feel no pain during treatment, although you may experience mild cramps afterwards.

For both types of surgery, you can usually resume your daily activities the following day. Following treatment, you should have normal or light periods or even no periods at all.

Is it right for you?

If your heavy bleeding is caused by fibroids, polyps or an infection alternative treatments will be offered. If you want to get pregnant, it is not an appropriate treatment as becoming pregnant after treatment poses serious risks. If you do have an endometrial ablation you will need to keep using contraception as pregnancy is possible.

If heavy periods are dictating your life and you’re unsure of their cause, book an appointment to see your GP. To get the most out of your appointment, take a look at the Talking to your GP section.

Benefits

  • One-off treatment
  • Safe and effective
  • Excellent success rate
  • No pre-treatment required
  • Can be performed any time during the menstrual cycle
  • Quick recovery
  • Bleeding decreases or stops entirely
  • *

Disadvantages

  • Not suitable for women who want to get pregnant
  • Only suitable for pre-menopausal women
  • Requires local or general anaesthetic
  • Cannot be reversed
  • Contraception still required
  • *

Features

  • For

    Heavy bleeding

  • Treatment type

    Minor operation

  • Treatment duration

    Maximum 2 minutes (average 90 seconds)*

  • Conception

    No longer possible

  • Recovery time

    1-2 days Cramps in the uterus may be experience for up to a few hours post-procedure.*

  • Success rate

    97% do not require further surgical treatment within 5 years.*

* relates specifically to the Novasure® endometrial ablation procedure

Frequently Asked Questions about Endometrial Ablation

  • What is an endometrial ablation?

    An endometrial ablation is an innovative method of treatment during which the womb lining is removed. It is a one-off, quick, procedure. It may be performed under local or general anaesthetic.

     

  • Is it right for you?

    If your heavy bleeding is caused by fibroids, polyps or an infection alternative treatments will be offered. If you want to get pregnant, it is not appropriate as becoming pregnant after treatment poses serious risks. If you do have an endometrial ablation you will need to keep using contraception as pregnancy is possible.

* Stock Photo. Posed by model

1 IN 5 WOMEN SUFFER WITH HEAVY PERIODS

1 IN 5 WOMEN SUFFER WITH HEAVY PERIODS About 20% of women suffer from heavy periods (menorrhagia). It’s not always possible to identify a cause and the symptoms vary too. If heavy periods are taking over your life, it’s time to do something about it. Because you can.

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Talk to your GP

Talk to your GP

Be prepared! Make sure you get the most out of your GP appointment. Complete the questionnaire and period diary, it will help your GP understand your problem, so you can get the right treatment, quickly.

Start Talking
Experiences
    • Donna (47) Had anaemia due to heavy periods
      “On some occasions I would literally be in and out of the toilet for hours on end. I am normally such a confident, sociable person that I found being in this situation totally alien to me and highly embarrassing.”
    • Maria (51) Periods changed following childbirth
      "I was at my wits end. I experienced terrible back and abdominal pain that no pain killers could alleviate. I experienced very heavy periods practically non-stop for a whole month and was feeling drained, miserable and snappy, so I finally went to see my GP.”
    • Vera (32) Her periods changed completely after childbirth
      “I did not know what had hit me when I had my first period after childbirth. I suddenly had very heavy periods, there was blood everywhere. It felt as though I was having contractions, even though that was naturally impossible.”
    • Monique (44) Is able to run and swim again after treatment
      “I had been unhappy about my very heavy periods for years. I would always experience heavy bleeding for a week and, on top of that, my cycle was 21 days long, a lot shorter than most women."