Suffering From Heavy Periods? Consider Endometrial Ablation

Person holding stomach.

All women know that sometimes being a woman is no fun. Among all the incredible feats a woman’s body bears — like carrying and birthing a child — it also bears uncomfortable and seemingly downright unfair conditions. 

One of those conditions that plagues millions of women? Heavy periods. 

If you suffer from heavy or prolonged periods, you might feel like there’s no hope and that you’ll have to deal with excessive bleeding for the rest of your life. However, that’s far from the truth: Thanks to medical advancements and OB/GYN experts like Dr. Brandon M. Lingenfelter, you can put an end to heavy periods with endometrial ablation

What is endometrial ablation?

Your endometrium is the lining of your uterus, and “ablation” means to destroy. So endometrial ablation is a procedure that destroys the interior of a woman’s uterus. If that sounds harsh and a bit off-putting, don’t worry — endometrial ablation is an outpatient procedure that usually takes only a few days to a couple weeks for recovery. 

Who gets endometrial ablation?

Many women with different uterine issues undergo endometrial ablation. The procedure can treat a number of conditions, including: 

  • Heavy or prolonged periods

  • Uterine fibroids

  • Anemia as a result of your period

  • Spotting in between periods

How endometrial ablation works

Dr. Lingenfelter specializes in the Minerva® system for endometrial ablation. First approved by the FDA in 2015, the Minerva system uses electric currents to permanently remove the lining of your uterus, and it can permanently reduce or eliminate menstrual bleeding.

During the procedure, Dr. Lingenfelter inserts a thin silicone wand into your uterus. The wand generates light and heat to ablate the lining of your uterus. You won’t need general anesthesia, but your doctor may administer local anesthesia to minimize any discomfort. 

The procedure usually lasts only 3-4 minutes, and you can go home the same day. 

What you can expect after endometrial ablation

Hooray! You can expect less or no menstrual bleeding, money saved from not having to buy pads or tampons, and freedom from worrying about your period. 

Long-term results aside, there are some things you should consider before deciding to undergo endometrial ablation. For instance, Minerva is designed for women who don’t want to get pregnant any time after the procedure. Conception is unlikely and unsafe after endometrial ablation, so be sure to consider this before having the procedure. 

Dr. Lingenfelter can advise you on other health and fertility concerns before deciding to pursue the treatment. 

To learn more about endometrial ablation and the Minerva system, call Dr. Lingenfelter at his Princeton, West Virginia, clinic at 681-217-0758, send us a message here on our website, or book an appointment online.

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