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Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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The type of anesthesia for the procedure varies, depending upon the technique used. Some types of endometrial ablation procedures can be carried out with minimal anesthesia during an office visit (for example, cryogenic probe), while others may be performed in an outpatient surgery department. Many physicians are concerned that the office procedures require more anesthesia for pain control than is safe to do in the office, while others feel that they can adequately control pain without going to the operating room. Patients and doctors should discuss these options before an ablation procedure is done.

It is necessary to dilate the opening of the cervix (the opening to the uterine cavity) to allow passage of the ablation instruments into the uterine cavity. A number of ablation methods are available and are effective for destruction of the endometrial tissue. These include laser beam, electricity, freezing, heating, or microwave energy. The choice of procedure depends upon a number of factors, including the preference and experience of the OB/GYN surgeon, the presence of any anatomical abnormalities or fibroids, the size and shape of the uterus, and the type of anesthesia desired by the patient.

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