What Is Endometrial Ablation?
Endometrial ablation works where other treatments fail. It goes straight to the source, destroying the inner uterine lining that bleeds excessively every month. You can finally be free of cancelled plans, constant exhaustion and iron deficiency draining your energy after undergoing this treatment. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) confirms ablation is appropriate for premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding who have completed childbearing and for whom other treatments haven’t worked.
Felix Cohen, MD, FACOG performs endometrial ablation at Hysteroscopy Center of New York in Midtown Manhattan, Columbus Circle and Queens. Affiliated with Mount Sinai, NYU Langone and Lenox Hill Hospital, Dr. Cohen brings surgical expertise directly into his office setting for this fully outpatient procedure. You arrive; have it performed and go home the same day.
Are There Different Types of Endometrial Ablation?
There are four main types of endometrial ablation. Dr. Cohen chooses the appropriate technique based on your uterine cavity size, shape and anatomy. The types include:
- Radiofrequency ablation, such as NovaSure ablation, uses a mesh device that molds to your uterine shape and gets the job done in roughly 90 seconds.
- Hydrothermal ablation pushes heated fluid through your uterine cavity. It’s the smarter pick if your uterus has an irregular shape.
- Cryoablation takes the opposite approach, destroying your uterine lining with extreme cold instead of heat.
- Microwave ablation penetrates the lining evenly, leaving no area undertreated.
Dr. Cohen adds, “I understand that the wrong choice may affect your results, so I examine your uterine anatomy before your procedure, explain what I found and tell you which method I picked and why. I never leave you wondering what’s about to happen.”
How Is Endometrial Ablation Performed?
You NYC gynecologist performs endometrial ablation through your vagina. There are no incisions and no external scarring of any kind. Dr. Cohen passes a slender instrument through your cervix into your uterine cavity, delivering some form of energy, based on the method, to your endometrial lining to destroy it. The active treatment takes between two and ten minutes.
Dr. Cohen employs a see-and-treat approach, meaning your diagnosis and your treatment happen in the same visit. He reviews your anesthesia and pain management options before the procedure so nothing about the day catches you off guard. You leave the office within one to two hours of finishing.
“Before I perform any procedure, I want you to understand exactly what’s going to happen and why I chose this approach for you,” says Dr. Cohen. “You know what to expect, so you can heal without worry.”
Am I a Good Candidate for Endometrial Ablation?
You’re a strong candidate if heavy periods are disrupting your daily life and other treatments haven’t worked. Reasons Dr. Cohen recommends endometrial ablation for his patients at Hysteroscopy Center of New York include:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding that soaks through more than one pad or tampon per hour, making a normal workday impossible
- Bleeding severe enough to cause iron-deficiency anemia, with fatigue and low energy lasting well beyond your period
- Periods longer than seven days with no structural cause, like uterine fibroids or endometrial polyps, identified
- Medical treatment that’s failed or is contraindicated for your health history
Dr. Cohen doesn’t perform ablation on you if you’re pregnant, have an active uterine infection or show any indication of endometrial cancer or hyperplasia. Before any ablation procedure, he performs a thorough office hysteroscopy to examine your uterine cavity directly.
What Can I Expect During My Endometrial Ablation Recovery?
Your recovery from endometrial ablation is brief. You go home the same day and return to light activity within 24 hours. You can expect mild cramping and a watery or lightly bloody discharge for a few days to a few weeks. They’re normal parts of the healing process.
Dr. Cohen advises avoiding strenuous exercise and sexual activity for two weeks while your uterine lining heals. A post-procedure follow-up confirms your recovery is on track. Around 50 percent of women stop having periods entirely within two to five years. Others see lighter bleeding within the first two to three cycles. Full results show at around the six-month mark.
Does Endometrial Ablation Affect My Fertility?
Endometrial ablation permanently reduces your ability to carry a pregnancy to term. You must have this conversation with Dr. Cohen before scheduling your procedure. It’s not, however, a contraception method. Pregnancy after an ablation carries serious risks, including miscarriage and dangerous implantation outside your uterus.
“This is not a decision to rush,” says Dr. Cohen. “I need to know you’re completely done having children before we move forward. If there is any doubt, we talk about other options first.”
ACOG recommends reliable contraception after ablation until menopause. Dr. Cohen covers fertility preservation options and sterilization during the same visit. Women with uterine abnormalities that affect fertility are evaluated separately to determine which approach fits their situation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Endometrial Ablation
How long does the endometrial ablation procedure take?
The procedure takes two to ten minutes. Plan for two to three hours at the gynecologist’s office, including your prep and recovery.
Is endometrial ablation painful?
The procedure is uncomfortable for some women, but painful for almost nobody. Dr. Cohen uses local anesthesia with sedation, checking in with you throughout the procedure.
When will I notice results from endometrial ablation?
Results take time. Your periods ease gradually over several months. In about six months, you know exactly how well it worked.
Does heavy bleeding return after endometrial ablation?
The uterine lining grows back for some women. When it does, bleeding returns too. Younger patients experience this more often. Dr. Cohen walks you through your specific risks, so you have realistic expectations.
Why Should I Choose Endometrial Ablation Over Other Treatments?
Dr. Cohen has helped women across New York City and beyond. When you want to stop making plans around heavy bleeding with a precise, minimally invasive endometrial ablation, he can do this procedure right in his office. When you visit Hysteroscopy Center of New York, you find a team that gets the right diagnosis and delivers the right treatment because they’re so thorough.
If you’re ready for a lasting solution from heavy periods, start here. Schedule your endometrial ablation consultation at Hysteroscopy Center of New York today. It’s open to locals and women in Canada or traveling internationally, as well. Dr. Cohen sees patients across three NYC locations and works around your schedule to get you in promptly.