Side Effects of Uterine Ablation

Menstrual disorders are a leading cause of decrease in quality of life for women. For many women, the complications with excessive bleeding is typically of greatest concern and often leads to unwanted hysterectomies and loss of child bearing. If you are a young woman who is living with menstrual complications and excessive bleeding, you may find that your doctor has recommended uterine ablation as a viable alternative to hysterectomy '" partial or total.

While uterine ablation is a common surgical procedure for many women, there are risks and side effects of the surgery that you should become familiar with. For many women, these risks and side effects are minimal but can, nonetheless, lead to a further complication with menstrual health if not identified and treated properly. Understanding the side effects of uterine ablation will, therefore, help you to identify the complications and seek out medical attention should they develop.

Uterine ablation surgery is an outpatient surgical procedure where a woman's uterus is essentially burned to clot off the uterine wall and minimize future bleeding. In some cases, this procedure may be used to treat large uterine fibroids and hysterectomy avoidance. One of the most common side effects of uterine ablation is the loss of fertility. While a woman who has undergone this procedure can often continue to have children, with ovulation, the ability to carry a pregnancy to term may be compromised as part of the uterine wall will no longer be functional. This is a long term impact and side effect of the surgery.

In the more immediate days after under going uterine ablation, a woman may experience complications involving pain, swelling, infection, and bleeding. While some degree of cramping is expected, if the pain and bleeding is more than your doctor suggested, then immediate medical attention is recommended. In addition, infection can occur which will result in an abnormal discharge after surgery and, as a result, antibiotic mediations will need to be started.

As with most outpatient gynecological surgery procedures, the use of ablation surgery is effective and often resolved abnormal menstrual bleeding without further health issues. Before choosing this alternative surgery, as opposed to partial or full hysterectomy, be sure you discuss these risks and side effects of uterine ablation with your doctor. In doing so, you'll have a far more successful outcome to your gynecological needs.

Sources: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding, by Malcolm Munro