How long after endometrial ablation

Important Phone Numbers. Topic Contents Your Recovery How can you care for yourself at home? When should you call for help? Where can you learn more? Top of the page. Endometrial Ablation: What to Expect at Home. Your Recovery Endometrial ablation is a procedure to treat very heavy menstrual bleeding or other abnormal bleeding in the uterus. How can you care for yourself at home? Rest when you feel tired.

Getting enough sleep will help you recover. Most women are able to return to work on the day after the procedure. You may shower and take baths as usual. Ask your doctor when it is okay for you to have sex.

You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt. You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after the procedure. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre supplement every day. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative.

Overview Endometrial ablation is a procedure that surgically destroys ablates the lining of your uterus endometrium. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Balloon ablation Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Balloon ablation One type of endometrial ablation uses a thermal balloon filled with heated fluid to destroy the lining of the uterus endometrium. Radiofrequency ablation Open pop-up dialog box Close. Radiofrequency ablation During radiofrequency ablation, your doctor uses a triangular ablation device which transmits radiofrequency energy and destroys the tissue lining the uterus endometrium.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Sharp HT. An overview of endometrial ablation. Accessed Aug. Sharp HT. Endometrial ablation: Non-resectoscopic techniques.

Fergusson RJ, et al. Endometrial resection and ablation versus hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Accessed July 15, Pfenninger JL, et al. Endometrial ablation.

Philadelphia, Pa. Cramping may continue for a longer time. Do not to douche, use tampons, or have sex for 2 to 3 days after an endometrial ablation, or as advised by your health care provider.

You may also have other limits on your activity. These may include no strenuous activity or heavy lifting. Take a pain reliever for cramping or soreness as recommended by your healthcare provider. Aspirin or certain other pain medicines may increase the chance of bleeding and should not be taken.

Be sure to take only recommended medicines. Your healthcare provider may give you other instructions after the procedure, based on your situation. Talk with your healthcare provider about appropriate types of birth control for you. Health Home Treatments, Tests and Therapies. He or she can use: Electricity electrical or electrocautery. In this method, your provider uses an electric current that travels through a wire loop or roller ball.

The current is put on the uterus lining to destroy it. Fluids hydrothermal. This method uses heated fluid. It is pumped into the uterus to destroy the lining. Balloon therapy. Your health care provider puts a thin tube catheter into the uterus. The catheter has a balloon at the end. Your provider fills the balloon with fluid and heats it. The heated fluid destroys the lining. High-energy radio waves radiofrequency ablation.

In this method, your provider puts an electrical mesh into the uterus. He or she expands it. Then your provider sends an electrical current made by radio waves to destroy the lining. Cold cryoablation. Your provider uses a probe with very cold temperature to freeze the lining.

Microwaves microwave ablation. Your provider sends microwave energy through a thin probe to destroy the lining. Why might I need an endometrial ablation? Your healthcare provider may have other reasons to suggest endometrial ablation.

What are the risks of an endometrial ablation? Possible complications of endometrial ablation include: Bleeding Infection Tearing of the uterine wall or bowel Overloading of fluid into the bloodstream Tell your healthcare provider if you are: Allergic to or sensitive to medicines, iodine, or latex Pregnant or think you could be. Endometrial ablation during pregnancy may lead to miscarriage. You may not be able to have an endometrial ablation if you have: Vaginal or cervical infection Pelvic inflammatory disease Cervical, endometrial, or uterine cancer Recent pregnancy Weakness of the uterine muscle wall Intrauterine device IUD Past uterine surgery for fibroids Classic or vertical C-section incision Abnormal structure or shape of the uterus Certain things can make it harder to do certain types of endometrial ablation.

All Content Physician's Name News. Last Name. First Name. Need help finding a doctor? Endometrial Ablation Instructions. Request an Appointment. Section Menu. Effects of Anesthesia You may feel somewhat dizzy or sleepy after surgery due to the side effects of the anesthesia.

Postoperative care The healing process will present itself as a profuse watery, occasionally bloody vaginal discharge for a few weeks. Pain Management Cramping is a common side effect for the next few days. Activity Patients usually return to their normal activity within a day or two.