freeze the endometrial lining. The freezing is done through cycles until the uterus is fully treated. The number of cycles you’ll do depends on the size and shape of your uterus.
Once the procedure is done, your doctor may observe you for a few hours or overnight. The observation is necessary because, like any medical procedure, endometrial ablation can have risks. These include bleeding, pain, infection, puncture of the uterus, and damage to the nearby organs.
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What To Expect Afterward
After you’ve had endometrial ablation, it’s common to have period-like cramps that last for a few days. These can usually be managed with over-the-counter medications but you should let your doctor know if that doesn’t work. It might be a sign that something else is wrong. There may also be a thin, bloody vaginal discharge for a few weeks after the procedure. The discharge tends to be heavier in the first three or four days so let your doctor know if it goes longer or gets heavier. Finally, you may find that you urinate more often in the 24 hours that follow endometrial ablation.
Full recovery can take up to two weeks but your doctor will give you complete guidance on that. Until you get the go-ahead, you’ll need to take things easy to ensure that you don’t disrupt the healing process.
Most importantly, it can take two or three months for you to see the full results of the procedure. Some people have heavier bleeding than usual the first time they menstruate after an ablation. However, after that, you should have lighter periods or no periods at all.
Many people have successfully treated their heavy bleeding with endometrial ablation. However, that doesn’t mean the procedure is right for everyone. If you meet the criteria, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about it.