Endometrial ablation as an alternative to hysterectomy.

Each year in the United States, more than 700,000 women undergo hysterectomy. Nearly half of these procedures are done for abnormal menstrual bleeding. There have been few alternatives available. Since 1988, endometrial ablation has become an alternative to hysterectomy for women who: choose not to, or cannot have, an hysterectomy; cannot, or do not wish, to use long-term hormonal therapy; or those patients who are unable to tolerate more involved surgical procedures due to additional medical conditions.