Cohort study, 1993
Does rollerball endometrial ablation work for very heavy periods?
Yes. Most women had much lighter periods or stopped bleeding entirely, and many experienced less period pain and fewer premenstrual symptoms.
What they did
Cohort of 77 women with very heavy periods received rollerball endometrial ablation, a surgical procedure using heat to burn the lining of the uterus. Women were followed for at least one year.
What they found
25% stopped having periods completely. 29% had only spotting. 30% had light periods. 10% had normal or irregular periods. 6% had no change. Blood loss fell from 104 milliliters to 1.7 milliliters at six months. Of women with painful periods, 33% were cured and 43% greatly improved. Of women with premenstrual symptoms, 13% were cured and 47% greatly improved.
What it means for you
This surgery is effective for very heavy periods and has benefits for period pain and premenstrual symptoms. It is permanent and invasive surgery. Results are from one hospital during early experience with the procedure.
77
women treated
25%
achieved complete amenorrhea
104 to 1.7 mL
blood loss reduction at 6 months
About the study
- Original title
- Short and medium term outcomes after rollerball endometrial ablation for menorrhagia
- Authors
- Fraser IS, Angsuwathana S, Mahmoud F et al.
- Journal
- The Medical journal of Australia
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 18
- What was tested
- Rollerball endometrial ablation surgery
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1993.tb137573.x
Topics
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