When Deciding Whether to Have an Ablation, Think About The Chance It Will Fail

The Minerva System and the NovaSure uterine ablation technologies were developed to treat women with heavy menstrual periods who also are no longer trying for pregnancy. This technology would not be right for you if you intend to have children in the future.

These technologies have become rapidly adapted, but failure rates are between 10 and 20%. If you are in your thirties the procedure is more likely to fail than if you are in your forties.

If you had pre-existing menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, you are doubly likely to have a failed ablation procedure.

Although ablation procedures render the uterus significantly less fertile, it is not a reliable method of contraception, and make the uterus less hospitable for IUDs. If you want to use an IUD for contraception you might not want to have an ablation procedure.

Accompanying pelvic disorders are another reason endometrial ablations fail, although gynecologic problems including endometriosis, adenomyosis, and uterine fibroids do not mean you cannot have an ablation, they do increase the chance the ablation will fail.

Previously available uterine ablation technology included the Minerva System and the NovaSure , balloon procedures, cryotherapy, rollerball ablations, or heated water therapies, and many of these have been removed from the market. NovaSure had out performed all the systems until now the Minerva system has updated the technology of the NovaSure for a better ablation, and then the NovaSure has been updated as well. Of the remaining technologies your gyno can select what would be right for you and the decision is not which type of ablation, but whether to get one.

Women can have a tubal ligation at the time of an ablation, or with a prior ablation so that pregnancy is protected against. If you were considering a tubal ligation then it's possible to get an ablation at the same time so that you don't experience heavy periods if you are stopping birth control pills. There is a slightly greater chance of failed ablation procedure if you have had a prior tubal ligation.

Remember neither ablation nor tubal ligation protect against STI, and you will need to discuss with your gyno what options are the best for your protection against pregnancy and STIs.

Causes of heavy periods ore many including problems with the uterus (other than adenomyosis, fibroids, or endometriosis mentioned above), with the cervix, with medications, with the ovary, and there are bleeding problems of other organs that one may mistake for heavy uterine bleeding (including the urethra, the vagina, the vulva, or the rectum). These problems may be non-cancerous conditions or diseases, infections, cancers, bleeding disorders, nutritional disorders, or problems related to pregnancy. Most often simple testing can help sort out the cause, to see if in fact a woman is eligible for an endometrial ablation. At home you can do your part for diagnosis if you keep track of your cycles and keep track of how many heavy days of bleeding during your cycles you actually have. You can also track any changes in diet, exercise, or medications (including herbals).  Note endometrial ablation procedures are not contraception nor do they offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.