Endometrial ablation in Scottsdale is a procedure that permanently removes the lining of the uterus using some form of energy, such as heat, cold, or electricity. There are two different types procedures.
Resectoscopic ablations are performed in the operating room – typically under general or spinal anesthesia – using a lighted instrument to look inside the uterus, and a combination cutting/cauterizing device. The non-resectoscopic method doesn’t require direct visualization and uses local anesthetic and sedating medication.
NovaSure, the non-resectoscopic technique, delivers bursts of radio-frequency electricity via mesh, and typically takes less than ten minutes. On the other hand, a hysterectomy involves a minimum two-week recovery time, but with ablation, most patients are back to normal function within a day or so.
Who is a good candidate for endometrial ablation in Scottsdale?
If you experience abnormally heavy periods that are having a serious effect on your life, you could be a good candidate for ablation. You should also be finished having children but still willing to use some form of birth control, since pregnancy following ablation is uncommon, but dangerous.
A workup prior to the procedure is standard, including imaging such as transvaginal ultrasound, and a biopsy of the uterine lining, to rule out other causes of bleeding and to ensure your uterus and uterine cavity are normal. In the case of non-resectoscopic ablation, patients need to agree to a procedure under local anesthesia, which may rule out those with a low pain threshold.
And while endometrial ablation in Scottsdale carries a lower risk of complications than hysterectomy, there is the slight possibility of problems such as uterine perforation, infection, or hemorrhage.
Even with the best technology, less than 50 percent of patients will stop bleeding completely, although a large percentage will have much shorter, lighter periods. That means while the vast majority of women will be satisfied with the results one year following the procedure, some will ultimately go on to have a second ablation or a hysterectomy.
Generally, women who are closer to menopause are much better candidates, because the success rates are much higher. If you undergo the procedure below the age of 35, the likelihood of recurrence of bleeding is certainly higher.
What else do I need to know about endometrial ablation in Scottsdale?
Not all hospitals offer ablations, nor are all gynecologists trained in doing them, so you may have to do a bit of research and possibly even travel to get one. And since your odds of complications hinge on how frequently your care provider performs the procedure, you might also want to do a bit of research beforehand.
If you have any more questions or would like more information regarding endometrial ablation in Scottsdale, we encourage you to contact our office today to schedule an appointment. During your appointment, we will talk you through your options and make sure you are on the right path to reproductive health and wellness.