Endometrial Ablation FAQs

The endometrium—the lining of your uterus—provides a place for a fertilized egg to implant within the womb. Your endometrium does this by thickening with blood during a process called the menstrual cycle. Menstruation occurs when the endometrium sheds the excess blood that is no longer needed, and the cycle begins again.

Some conditions can cause abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding, which may increase to such an unmanageable level that it requires a surgical procedure to correct. Endometrial ablation is available as an alternative to a hysterectomy. Rather than removing your uterus entirely, an endometrial ablation destroys the interior lining of your uterus. In many cases, this will put a stop to your periods entirely. If not, it will probably lighten your monthly flow to a normal level.

However, not every woman can benefit from endometrial ablation. For example, women who have an active uterine infection, uterine cancer or an increased risk for it, as well as postmenopausal women, should not receive endometrial ablation. If you are pregnant at the intended time of the procedure, the endometrial ablation cannot continue.

While endometrial ablation is not a sterilization procedure, women who intend to have more children should not undergo it. Endometrial ablation makes it more difficult to conceive, and any pregnancies that do result after the procedure are likely to involve high risk to mother and child. Endometrial ablation also increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, a nonviable pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus.

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue from the uterine lining starts growing outside of the womb for unknown reasons. Although endometriosis can cause abnormally heavy bleeding, your doctor may not recommend an endometrial ablation as the first treatment option to address it.

• Keep a full tank of gas to avoid ice in the fuel and tank lines
• Use wintertime formulas for washing your windshield
• Keep an emergency kit in the car with the following: blankets, food and water, cell phone, compass and maps, flashlight and extra batteries, first aid kit and booster cables

If you have a car with 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and good tires, driving in the snow is fairly safe. If you drive a smaller car that doesn’t handle as well on the ice, drive slowly and carefully every time you leave the house.

Equip Your House for Emergencies

Snowstorms can trap residents in their home for long periods. To keep your home ready for weather-related emergencies, such as power outages, make sure you are prepared by:

• Stocking foods that don’t require refrigeration or cooking
• Storing water in clean containers
• Keeping cell phones fully charged and having portable chargers or power banks on hand
• Keeping an emergency kit with extra batteries, battery-operated devices, any baby items you may need, extra medicine and a first aid kit.
• Place any generators at least 20 feet away from the house to protect your family from carbon monoxide—If the carbon monoxide detector goes off, call 911 and leave the house immediately

Your place of refuge can become a cold, unhappy home if you are unprepared for emergencies. During the winter, keep a close eye on the weather report so you are ready for upcoming storms.

If you are concerned about your family’s health during the winter and want to know more about how to prepare to keep them healthy with better winter safety, seek out the advice of a doctor or other medical professional. The best treatment is prevention, and it’s important you have peace of mind each winter.

Sources:

“Endometrial ablation.” Mayo Clinic.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/endometrial-ablation/about/pac-20393932

“What is Endometrial Ablation?” WebMD.

https://www.webmd.com/women/endometriosis/what-is-endometrial-ablation#1