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Menopause (Expert Forum)
Hot flashes and endometrial ablation
Answered by
Machelle Seibel, MD - Women's Health, menopause, ReproductiveMedicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
MA
Questions in the Menopause forum are answered by Dr. Machelle Seibel. Topics covered include menopause issues, depression, hormone replacement therapy, hot flashes, joint or muscle problems, memory problems, mood swings, osteoporosis, sexual problems, skin changes, sleeping problems, vaginal problems, and weight problems.
Hot flashes and endometrial ablation
by ClearSkies, Sep 28, 2006 12:00AM
I'm 44 and have been in perimenopause for 4 years. I've taken birth control pills for regulating my period, lastly on Lo-Ovral, when after 2 years my periods have become irregular again. My gyn has me taking FemHRT and has recommended endometrial ablation as the next step.
I exercise regularly, do yoga at least twice a week, and meditate daily. I'm still sweating. After a hot flash it takes about 1 1/2 hours to cool down. My thyroid levels have been testing normal for the last 4 years, and the hot flashes have become worse.
Will an endometrial ablation relieve my hot flashes (it doesn't sound like it would) or just the heavy and irregular bleeding? If so, what would be the effective treatment for the hot flashes which have made me depressed and embarassed for so long?
I exercise regularly, do yoga at least twice a week, and meditate daily. I'm still sweating. After a hot flash it takes about 1 1/2 hours to cool down. My thyroid levels have been testing normal for the last 4 years, and the hot flashes have become worse.
Will an endometrial ablation relieve my hot flashes (it doesn't sound like it would) or just the heavy and irregular bleeding? If so, what would be the effective treatment for the hot flashes which have made me depressed and embarassed for so long?
Doctor's Answer
by Machelle Seibel, MD, Sep 29, 2006 12:00AM
, Sep 29, 2006 12:00AM
A. Endometrial ablation uses heat to destroy the uterine lining so it won’t bleed anymore. It won’t help hot flashes at all. Sometimes if the uterine lining keeps bleeding, it is helpful to look inside the uterus with a hysteroscope (a thin telescope) to be sure there isn’t a polyp or other cause of the bleeding. If that is normal, then adjusting the hormones is often successful in regulating both the bleeding and the hot flashes. It is possible that you were making some estrogen at age 40 and now 4 years later, your estrogen production is lower so you need to take more estrogen/progestone to reduce hot flashes.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
