Heavy bleeding, either during your cycle or very chaotically, not only interferes with living an active and spontaneous life, but impacts your overall health, predisposing you to anemia, fatigue, and cardiovascular problems. At Physicians for Women in Madison, Wisconsin, our board-certified OB/GYNs offer the NovaSure® endometrial ablation as a way to permanently reduce or eliminate vaginal bleeding altogether. The procedure uses radiofrequency to generate heat to the endometrial tissues and destroys them forever; never to regenerate and slough each month again! To find out if the treatment is an appropriate solution for you, call the clinic or request an appointment online today.
NovaSure® Endometrial Ablation
NovaSure® Endometrial Ablation Q & A
What is NovaSure endometrial ablation?
NovaSure endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that the OB/GYNs at Physicians for Women have been trained to treat abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding. The procedure can eliminate vaginal bleeding and allow you to avoid hysterectomy as your only recourse. It may also allow you to avoid hormonal medications, such as birth control pills to control the bleeding. Of note, however, the Novasure endometrial ablation does not function as a birth control method and therefore an alternative form of contraception is needed after an ablation.
During your NovaSure endometrial ablation procedure, your physician inserts the device through your cervical canal and places it within the uterine cavity. At the end of the device is a triangular net that expands to fill the shape of your uterine cavity. Once in place, the device emits controlled radiofrequency energy waves that heat and eliminate the endometrium. The Novasure endometrial ablation procedure is the most commonly performed type of endometrial ablation on the market and is likely related to the numerous safety measures that must be met in preparation for the ablative cycle and the speed of the ablation itself. The radiofrequency cycle takes less than two minutes to complete!
When is NovaSure endometrial ablation necessary?
If your menstrual periods are particularly heavy or long-lasting, you might be a candidate for NovaSure endometrial ablation. Your physician at Physicians for Women may recommend the procedure to you if:
- Other treatments have been unsuccessful in reducing your bleeding
- You don’t plan on any future pregnancies
- You’d prefer not to have a hysterectomy
- A hysterectomy is not possible for you
Before recommending NovaSure, the team thoroughly evaluates your health and may perform some tests, including ultrasound and endometrial biopsy to rule out any serious causes of your unusually heavy or long-lasting menstrual periods.
How long does it take to heal after NovaSure endometrial ablation?
The NovaSure endometrial ablation procedure is typically very well tolerated and patients are usually cleared to return to work the following day. The use of scheduled ibuprofen for the first 24 hours after the procedure plays a large role in keeping post-ablation uterine cramping to a minimum.
It’s normal to see some discharge or spotting for several months after a NovaSure treatment. It might go away after just a short while or start and stop at random. This discharge is not to be confused with your period: You should wait for three months before reporting back to your provider about your menstrual bleeding or the lack of it.
If you want to reduce or stop your heavy menstrual bleeding, call Physicians for Women or request an appointment online today.