Endometriosis

Some women diagnosed with endometriosis never experience symptoms, while others suffer from extreme pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. When you can’t get the symptom relief you need, endometrial ablation may be a good option. Clinton Ashford, MD, FACOG, Rebecca Ashford, MD, and Brookes Vaughan, NP, at The Ashford Center in Athens, Georgia, are experts in endometrial ablation. Dr. Ashford has performed thousands of procedures, and the practice has documented the results, so the team can let you know if endometrial ablation will relieve your symptoms. Call the office or use online booking to schedule your consultation today.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition that develops when tissues lining your uterus begin to grow outside your uterine cavity. The patches of endometriosis most often grow on the outer wall of your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Although it’s not as common, endometriosis can also grow on the connective tissues in your abdomen, bladder, and bowels.

While there are several theories about how uterine tissue ends up outside the uterus, many experts believe that some of your menstrual blood flows backward, going through the fallopian tubes and out into the abdominal cavity.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Your uterine lining, which is called the endometrium, goes through changes every month in response to hormonal fluctuations. It thickens with a rich supply of blood so that it’s prepared to nurture an embryo, and it sheds in the form of your period if an egg isn’t fertilized.

The endometriosis outside your uterus continues to respond to hormones. It thickens each month, breaks down, and bleeds. The blood, however, is trapped in the abdominal cavity, where it causes inflammation, scarring, and pain.

The complete list of endometriosis symptoms includes: 

• Heavy menstrual periods
• Longer than normal periods
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Painful periods
• Abdominal pain a week before your period
• Pain during urination
• Pain during bowel movements

Endometriosis is also one of the top three causes of infertility.

How does endometrial ablation help with endometriosis?

Endometrial ablation is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that eliminates your uterine lining. While several techniques may be used, such as heated fluids, freezing, and radiofrequency energy, they all work by destroying the tissues that make up the lining. 

Following endometrial ablation, you stop having menstrual periods. Or, if you do have periods, they’re significantly lighter than they were before the ablation. Since the procedure stops bleeding, eliminates chemicals responsible for pain, and affects hormone interactions, it effectively relieves many of the symptoms associated with endometriosis.

The team at The Ashford Center are experienced gynecologists who have devoted their practice to performing endometrial ablation. Over the years, they’ve treated many women who have symptoms of endometriosis, but they’ve discovered that about 60-80% of them don’t have endometriosis.

When that happens, these women often have a hard time finding treatments that effectively alleviate their pain and heavy periods. For women who have completed childbearing, endometrial ablation is a safe and effective treatment option. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis and you’re searching for ways to ease your symptoms, call The Ashford Center or schedule a consultation online today.