The Duke Center for Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery offers Her Option endometrial ablation procedure to permanently destroy the lining of the uterus in order to treat abnormally heavy menstrual periods. Women who wish to maintain the ability to bear children in the future should not have this procedure performed upon them.

Before Your Procedure

The evening before your appointment:

• Take one tablet of ketorolac (Toradol). Please inform us if you are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin, or other similar medications.

The day of your appointment:

• Take a second tablet of ketorolac (Toradol) one to two hours before your appointment.
• Take one tablet of diazepam (Valium) approximately one hour before your appointment.
• Drink plenty of fluids prior to your arrival.
• Have someone drive you to and from your appointment.

Once at the office:

• Do not empty your bladder. It is important to have a full bladder during the procedure.
• You will need someone to drive you home afterward.

During the Procedure

Your doctor will spray some local anesthetic onto your cervix and will then perform a nerve block around your cervix using a small injection of local anesthetic (lidocaine, bupivicaine). The Her Option device will then be inserted through the cervix and into the uterus.

We will be observing the treatment with an ultrasound monitor placed upon your abdomen. You can expect to feel some cramping during the procedure. The intensity of the cramping varies from person to person. Some women feel little or no pain.

After the Procedure

You will have a few minutes to relax and then you may get dressed. Your doctor will speak with you and arrange for appropriate follow-up care, and the nurse will confirm that you are feeling well.

You may experience mild to moderate cramping for the next 12-36 hours. You may feel a little drowsy from the medication given to you for the procedure, and therefore you should not drive yourself home afterward.

You should expect to see a watery discharge that may be pink or yellowish. This may be present for up to three weeks. Please use pads, not tampons, during this time frame. Also, please do not have sexual intercourse until the discharge has resolved.

Call your doctor or go to the emergency room if you experience persistent fever (higher than 100.5 degrees), difficulty urinating, chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, dizziness, or any other concerning symptoms.

Further instructions following minor surgery

General Instructions

If you have any questions during business hours, please call 919-660-2370.

If you develop a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, please call 919-684-8111 and ask to speak to your doctor or the gynecology resident physician on call.