Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                Surgery Devices

Surgery Devices

                        Endometrial Ablation for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
          Laparoscopic Power Morcellators


                        Computer-Assisted Surgical Systems
          LASIK Home
          Medical Devices
          Products and Medical Procedures
          Surgery Devices
          Endometrial Ablation for Heavy Menstrual BleedingSurgery Devices Endometrial Ablation for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    Print**Endometrial ablation**is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding (periods). The procedure works by ablating (destroying) the tissue in the lining of the uterus, which is called the endometrium. Because the endometrium is the tissue that causes bleeding, destroying this tissue may reduce menstrual bleeding to normal or lighter levels.

Thumbnail graphic for Endo Abalation


Download Printable PDF

**Heavy menstrual bleeding**is a common problem. About one out of three patients who get their period seek treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding. A period with bleeding totaling over 1/3 cup (80 ml) is considered heavy or excessive. Signs that you may have heavy menstrual bleeding include if you regularly:

Change your saturated pads or tampons frequently (for example, every hour for several hours in a row).
	Wear more than one pad at a time or need to use both a tampon and a pad.
	Bleed for longer than a week during your period.
	Have symptoms associated with anemia (low red blood cell count), such as tiredness or shortness of breath.
	Avoid or miss activities, work, or social events due to your menstrual bleeding.On this page:

Endometrial Ablation Devices
	Candidates for Endometrial Ablation
	What to Know Before Undergoing Endometrial Ablation
	Benefits, Common Side Effects, and Risks of Endometrial Ablation
	Topics to Discuss with Your Health Care Provider
	Alternative Treatment OptionsEndometrial Ablation Devices

The FDA has approved endometrial ablation devices for premenopausal patients with heavy menstrual bleeding due to benign (non-cancerous) causes for whom childbearing is complete.

The FDA has approved **endometrial ablation devices** that use different methods to destroy the endometrium tissue. These methods include:

Heat energy created by one of these methods:
	Heated gas inside a handpiece inserted into the uterus
		Radiofrequency energy delivered by a handpiece within the uterus
		Free flowing heated saline circulated within the uterus
		Microwave energy delivered by a handpiece within the uterus
		Heated fluid within a balloon on a handpiece inserted into the uterus
		Heated water vapor circulated within the uterus
	Extreme cold created by nitrous oxide within a balloon on a handpiece inserted into the uterusCandidates for Endometrial Ablation

Your health care provider will discuss with you whether you are a candidate for endometrial ablation.

You are **NOT** a candidate for this procedure if:

You are pregnant or want to become pregnant in the future. **Pregnancies following ablation can be dangerous for both mother and fetus.**
	You had an endometrial ablation procedure or endometrial resection (including endometrial ablation/resection performed immediately before the endometrial ablation procedure). **Currently available devices are not designed for repeat treatment. Repeat ablation may result in serious injury such as internal burns.**
	You are on medications that could thin the myometrial muscles (the muscles of the uterus), such as long-term steroid use (except for inhaler or nasal therapy for asthma).
	You have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
	You have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been evaluated by a health care provider.
	You have a known or suspected abdominal, pelvic or gynecological cancer.
	You have any anatomic condition (for example, history of previous classical cesarean section) or other condition that could weaken the muscular layer of the uterus.
	You have an active genital, pelvic or urinary tract infection (for example, cervicitis, vaginitis, endometritis, salpingitis or cystitis) at the time of treatment.What to Know Before Undergoing Endometrial Ablation

In most cases, endometrial ablation will be performed as an outpatient procedure. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about where and how they perform these procedures and the type of anesthesia that is typically used. Your health care provider will advise you about whether you need someone to drive you home afterwards.

During the procedure, your health care provider may need to dilate your cervix to allow insertion of the handpiece for the endometrial ablation device into the uterus. Once the handpiece is inserted into the uterus, energy will be delivered for a few minutes to destroy the uterine lining. After the energy delivery is completed, the handpiece is removed.

After the procedure, you will be evaluated for your readiness to go home. You should also receive instructions about when to follow up with your health care provider.

Benefits, Common Side Effects, and Risks of Endometrial Ablation

The main potential **benefit**of the procedure is the reduction in menstrual bleeding and improvement in quality of life.

The most common **side effects**of endometrial ablation occur during or immediately following the procedure and include pain, cramping, nausea, and vaginal discharge/bleeding/spotting. You may also have temporary diarrhea or a headache.

While rare, the following **risks** (some of which could be life threatening) may occur during or immediately following the procedure:

Deep injury to the uterus such as perforation (tear), or burn beyond the muscular layer of the uterus
	Injury to the organs in the abdomen, such as bowel or bladder perforation (tears) or burns
	Burn injury to the vagina, vulva, and skin
	Infection
	Hemorrhage (bleeding)
	Air or gas embolism (air bubble(s) in the blood vessels)
	Need for an additional surgery, including a possible hysterectomy, due to a complication during the procedureWhile rare, the following **risks** may happen months to years after the procedure:

New pain during menstrual cycles in patients who have previously undergone a tubal ligation (sterilization surgery). Also known as post ablation tubal sterilization syndrome (PATSS).
	Collection and retention of blood in the uterus due to narrowing of the cervix which may result in pain.**Other considerations** include

**Pregnancies following ablation can be dangerous for both mother and fetus.** Serious pregnancy complications may occur for both pregnant individuals and fetus in people that have had endometrial ablation. **Endometrial ablation does not protect patients from future pregnancy. To avoid pregnancy, patients need to undergo a permanent sterilization procedure or continue to use reversable contraception until menopause.**
	There may be difficulty in diagnosing an endometrial cancer in the future due to scarring of the endometrium
	You may experience a return of heavy menstrual bleeding which may lead to the need for further treatment, such as a drug therapy or hysterectomy
	Endometrial ablation reduces menstrual bleeding to normal or lighter levels, but you may experience amenorrhea (lack of menstrual bleeding) following treatment.Discuss with Your Health Care Provider

If you are considering endometrial ablation:

Talk to your health care provider about any problems you may have.
	Discuss what treatment options may work for you, and whether you are a candidate for endometrial ablation.
	Ask your health care provider what type of endometrial ablation device they use and the risks and benefits of the procedure as compared to other treatment options.
	Ask for the endometrial ablation device patient labeling which will provide more information.
	Ask your provider about what to expect after having the procedure and when to contact them should you experience any problems.Alternative Treatment Options

**Drug Therapies (Hormonal and Non-hormonal)**

Hormone therapy is commonly available as oral contraceptive pills, patches, or injections. Hormone therapy is frequently prescribed by a health care provider before trying more invasive treatments such as endometrial ablation.

There are also several types of hormonal intrauterine devices or systems that are inserted by a health care provider into the uterus for contraception and control of bleeding.

Non-hormonal medications can be used with or without hormonal therapy. Some medications may include tranexamic acid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen) and are used to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.

These therapies require repeated use to maintain their effect, and each have their own benefits and risks that you should discuss with your health care provider. These therapies have no permanent effect on fertility (ability to have children), so they are an option for patients who may want to have children in the future.

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is a surgery which removes the uterus and is the most invasive treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding. The procedure carries the risks associated with a major surgery, but it completely stops bleeding because the uterus, which is the cause of the bleeding, is removed. This surgery is performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia. The recovery for hysterectomy is longer than the recovery for endometrial ablation, and pregnancy after hysterectomy is not an option because the uterus is removed.

For additional information about alternative treatment options, refer to Heavy Menstrual Bleeding - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Additional resources

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      10/25/2021
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Medical DevicesSurgery Devices

          
                        Endometrial Ablation for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
          Laparoscopic Power Morcellators


                        Computer-Assisted Surgical Systems
          LASIK
 
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop