--- title: Can a procedure to treat heavy periods also ease premenstrual symptoms like bloating and mood swings? description: In this small study, women reported clear improvement in all 6 premenstrual symptoms up to a year after endometrial ablation, but without a comparison group w url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-endometrial-ablation-on-premenstrual-symptoms-2015/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can a procedure to treat heavy periods also ease premenstrual symptoms like bloating and mood swings? Cohort study, 2015 # Can a procedure to treat heavy periods also ease premenstrual symptoms like bloating and mood swings? In this small study, women reported clear improvement in all 6 premenstrual symptoms up to a year after endometrial ablation, but without a comparison group we can't be fully certain the procedure itself was the cause. Early or limited evidence 59 women with heavy periods awaiting endometrial ablation, at a university hospital in Canada ## What they did Researchers followed 59 women in Canada who were waiting to have endometrial ablation (a procedure that removes the lining of the womb) for heavy periods. Women rated 6 premenstrual symptoms on a 0 to 10 scale before surgery, then again 4 months and 12 months afterward. Nine women were excluded along the way. ## What they found All 6 symptoms (irritability, agitation/anxiety, depression/sadness, headache, swelling/bloating, breast tenderness) were significantly less severe up to a year after surgery. Bloating improved the most, dropping by 4.1 points out of 10 at 4 months and 3.1 points at 12 months. Women who started with the worst symptoms improved the most, but even women with mild symptoms saw significant improvement in 4 of the 6 symptoms. ## What it means for you Endometrial ablation, usually done to treat heavy bleeding, may also reduce premenstrual symptoms like bloating, irritability, low mood, headache, and breast tenderness. Main limits: no comparison group of untreated women, small sample, and all women already had heavy periods, so results may not apply to women with normal periods or PMDD without heavy bleeding. 59 women recruited for the study 4.1 drop in bloating score (out of 10) at 4 months 3.1 drop in bloating score (out of 10) at 12 months ## About the study Original title Effect of endometrial ablation on premenstrual symptoms Authors Waddell G, Pelletier J, Desindes S et al. Journal Journal of minimally invasive gynecology Year 2015 Study design Cohort study Participants 59 What was tested Endometrial ablation (microwave, impedance-controlled, or rollerball technique) for heavy menstrual bleeding Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2015.01.023](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2015.01.023) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Randomised trial, 2021 Does hypnotherapy reduce pain and emotional distress in women with PMDD? Survey study, 2024 What types of premenstrual syndrome exist and how common are they? Survey study, 2024 How common is dysmenorrhea related to PMS in university students, and how do they treat it? Survey study, 2019 What are the best ways to manage PMS? Survey study, 2019 How common is premenstrual syndrome among medical students? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗