How Can Advanced Endometrial Ablation Help With PCOS Symptoms?
Advanced Endometrial Ablation doesn’t directly cure PCOS as such, but it may be a good option for treating some of the symptoms associated with this condition. More specifically, it’s a highly effective way to stop heavy bleeding and pain. It also makes women feel better with respect to PMS symptoms, which in turn helps them focus on a healthier diet and exercise, further alleviating the entire PCOS situation.
Advanced Endometrial Ablation is a procedure that gently removes the hormonally active lining of the uterus. This tissue, called the endometrium, responds to monthly hormone cycles and thickens for a few weeks, then breaks down and sheds as a monthly, period.
After the endometrium has been removed with the Advanced Endometrial Ablation procedure, periods either stop (for most women) or they become very light, so that monthly cycling pain is gone for good! While Advanced Endometrial Ablation has long-lasting benefits, it should be noted that it is performed ONLY on women whose childbearing is complete.
To learn more about how Advanced Endometrial Ablation can relieve PCOS symptoms, call The Ashford Center or book a consultation online today.
Does PCOS Cause Health Complications?
The hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS affect many functions and systems in your body. As a result, PCOS increases your risk of:
- Infertility: PCOS is a leading cause of infertility due to ovulation problems
- Weight gain: More than half of all women with PCOS gain weight
- Type 2 diabetes: Insulin resistance is responsible for high insulin levels that affect androgens, and untreated insulin resistance turns into Type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome: This condition significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. (Metabolic syndrome refers to a group of chronic problems, including high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and excess fat around the waist.
What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) refers to a cluster of symptoms that occur in women with an imbalance of insulin and androgens. High levels of insulin cause blood levels of androgens to increase. Women normally produce a small amount of androgens, including testosterone. But when androgen levels get too high, the ovaries can’t work normally and ovulation either stops or becomes irregular.
Should I Consider Advanced Endometrial Ablation During Menopause or Perimenopause?
The primary reason to consider Advanced Endometrial Ablation during this phase of life is to treat abnormal bleeding during perimenopause. Occasionally, bleeding after menopause is a sign of a more serious problem. If you have postmenopausal bleeding that’s due to a benign condition such as polyps or fibroids, Advanced Endometrial Ablation may also be an excellent treatment option. The Ashford Center specializes in determining the underlying cause of abnormal bleeding, which can occur around the time of declining hormone output of the ovaries.
Perimenopausal bleeding is abnormal if you experience:
- Heavy bleeding
- Prolonged bleeding
- More frequent bleeding
- Irregular bleeding
- After-intercourse bleeding
If you experience any of these symptoms, call The Ashford Center for a consultation to learn if you’re a candidate for Advanced Endometrial Ablation.
To learn more about how Advanced Endometrial Ablation addresses issues associated with menopause or perimenopause, call The Ashford Center or schedule a consultation online today.
When Will I Enter Menopause?
Menopause is a time when there is no more menstrual bleeding. Perimenopause is a time when the ovaries’ production of estrogen can waver and sputter before eventually ceasing altogether (menopause). This time of changing estrogen production and unbalanced hormones can present quite a rollercoaster of symptoms!
Many women begin experiencing problems with unbalanced hormones long before their periods stop. Sometimes women experience perimenopause for years. If periods become either heavier, more painful, more irregular, or last longer, these can be signs of hormonal changes during perimenopause.
Every woman is unique in how long her symptoms may last. For some women, abnormal periods may occur for as much as a decade. For other women, periods may stay fairly normal, but they begin to have hot flashes, night sweats, lack of focus, weight gain, or anxiety. It is important for women to know that there are proven and safe treatments to end all of their perimenopausal symptoms.
The Ashford Center specializes in the treatment of unbalanced hormonal cycles, including the Advanced Endometrial Ablation procedure which can end periods for good. Typically, women ranging in age from their late thirties to late fifties can find freedom from problem periods, PMS, or other hormonal-imbalance symptoms of the perimenopausal phase.
How Can Advanced Endometrial Ablation Help with Low Libido?
Advanced Endometrial Ablation can potentially help with low libido that is related to hormonal imbalance. The endometrium that lines the uterus is closely linked to hormone levels, as hormones trigger the breakdown of the endometrium that causes bleeding during a period.
Advanced Endometrial Ablation gently removes the endometrium without the need for invasive surgery. Once the endometrium is gone, periods are ended permanently and hormone imbalances are corrected.
Dr. Clint Ashford specializes in Advanced Endometrial Ablation procedures for women whose childbearing is complete and who wish to stop their periods for good.
To find out more about Advanced Endometrial Ablation and how it could help you, schedule a consultation online or by phone today.
What is Low Libido?
Low libido means having a low sex drive. The desire to have sex varies enormously between different people, so it’s difficult to define what is normal in a broader sense.
Low libido is only a problem if it’s causing distress and affecting important relationships. Dr.
Clint Ashford and Dr. Rebecca Ashford are specialists in helping women who are having hormonal imbalance problems, including low libido. They are committed to providing compassionate and effective care and will customize a treatment plan that is right for each unique patient.
What are Fibroids?
Fibroids are benign growths inside the muscle portion of the uterus. Women who have fibroids are usually unaware of them because they experience no symptoms. Fibroids usually don’t affect the ability to conceive or have a successful pregnancy, and they often cause no problems at all.
It’s possible for fibroids to develop at any time until menopause, and they can vary in size from microscopic to being large enough to push the walls of the uterus out of shape. There can be one or many fibroids, and a mixture of different sizes at the same time.
How Does Advanced Endometrial Ablation Help With Endometriosis?
Advanced Endometrial Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that gently removes the hormonally active lining of the uterus, the endometrium. Because the endometrium is responsible for part of the cascade of hormones during the cycle and is also producing neuroactive peptides responsible for dysmenorrhea and PMS, removing the endometrium can prevent stimulation of the cells growing outside of the uterus and thus can decrease monthly pain. Research by Dr. Ashford and his team has demonstrated that Advanced Endometrial Ablation can relieve symptoms of monthly pain and PMS for most women.
The experienced team at The Ashford Center has treated thousands of women who have been diagnosed with endometriosis, and their goal is to give each woman the help she needs to navigate this painful condition.
For women who have been diagnosed with endometriosis and have completed childbearing, Advanced Endometrial Ablation is a safe and effective treatment option.
If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis and you’re searching for ways to ease your symptoms, call The Ashford Center or schedule a consultation online today.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition that develops when endometrial tissue (the hormonally sensitive tissue lining the inside of the uterus) begins to grow outside the uterine cavity. These patches of endometriosis most often grow on the outer wall of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Although it’s not as common, endometriosis can also grow on the connective tissues in the abdomen, bladder, intestines, and elsewhere.
While there are several theories about how uterine tissue ends up outside the uterus, many experts believe that some of the menstrual blood flows backward, going through the fallopian tubes and out into the abdominal cavity. By some undetermined mechanism, endometrial cells then begin growing in areas where they’re not intended to grow. In general, a woman’s immune system reacts to this inappropriate growth by causing inflammation and pain.
Can Advanced Endometrial Ablation help with premenstrual headaches?
Advanced Endometrial Ablation stops nearly all premenstrual headaches, including migraines. Removing the hormonally-sensitive lining of the uterus stops the degenerating endometrium from emitting the neuropeptide toxin that triggers the headaches. Once childbearing is complete, Advanced Endometrial Ablation is a safe, effective treatment option for most women.
Dr. Clint Ashford is the leading expert in the field of Advanced Endometrial Ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that ends periods permanently and effectively eliminates premenstrual headaches and migraines.
Advanced Endometrial Ablation is only suitable for women whose families are complete.
For more information, call The Ashford Center or schedule a consultation online today.
What are the symptoms of premenstrual headaches?
Premenstrual headaches are usually throbbing, causing a sensation of pounding and increased pain with movement. Most times there is a component of nausea also. In addition, there may be other symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue
- Acne
- Joint pain
- Not urinating as often as normal
- Constipation
- Lack of coordination
- Increased appetite
- Cravings for chocolate, salt, or alcohol
Some women may suffer from this type of headache each month, while others, especially those who are prone to migraines anyway, experience regular premenstrual migraine headaches.
Migraines don’t just cause intense pain in your head. They can also be the source of other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and flashing lights or auras that affect your vision. In addition to making a woman’s life miserable, these headaches can interfere with productivity at work and can be debilitating, affecting the quality of life.
What are the symptoms of premenstrual headaches?
What are Premenstrual Headaches?
Premenstrual headaches are those that start in the days just before you begin your period. They may be typical headaches like those you would experience if you were stressed or dehydrated, but often premenstrual headaches come in the form of debilitating migraine attacks.
As many as 40% % of our patients tell us that they have at least two days of severe migraine headaches prior to their periods. All of these cyclical headaches will disappear after Advanced Endometrial Ablation!
How can Advanced Endometrial Ablation help with bloating?
Have you ever heard of a man complaining of bloating? Rarely, if ever. The reason is that most of the sensation that causes women to complain of “bloating” is caused by a neuroactive peptide from the shedding endometrium that triggers bowel edema (swelling within the wall of the intestine).
Some women say that they even have to wear different clothes in the premenstrual time frame or that they gain 5-10 pounds of “water weight”. Advanced Endometrial Ablation at The Ashford Center stops premenstrual bloating by gently removing the lining of the uterus, which means no more periods or bloating! If there is no endometrium to break down, then the neuropeptide toxins that are the culprit causing these troublesome symptoms are gone altogether!!
Dr. Clint Ashford is a pioneer and a leading expert in Advanced Endometrial Ablation, having performed thousands of these procedures with consistent and successful results that can be truly life-changing for women with this problem.
Advanced Endometrial Ablation is a safe and pain-free solution for women suffering from PMS symptoms such as bloating, as well as difficult, painful, or heavy periods.
For more information, call The Ashford Center or schedule online for a consultation today.
How long does bloating typically last?
Most women typically experience bloating well before the start of their period and will stop immediately once menstruating begins or for a few days into it.
Does alcohol and caffeine contribute to bloating?
Experts believe that both alcohol and caffeine do, in fact, contribute to bloating. Consider drinking extra water on the days leading up to your period.
How does Advanced Endometrial Ablation relieve painful periods?
Advanced Endometrial Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that removes the tissues that line the inside of the uterus, the endometrium. During a painful period the endometrium is usually thickened, causing a heavy or prolonged flow. It is also the source of neuropeptide toxins that get into the bloodstream as the endometrium breaks down. In addition, the endometrium can be the cause of imbalanced hormone production during the cycle which can cause pain and other PMS symptoms. The one minimally-invasive procedure that can permanently relieve painful periods is the innovative Advanced Endometrial Ablation procedure. Dr. Clint Ashford has performed thousands of these procedures and is a leading expert in the field of endometrial ablation techniques. His trusted experience has brought patients from all over the Southeast who are searching for help with their painful and often debilitating periods.
If you suffer from painful periods, call The Ashford Center or book a consultation online today to learn if Advanced Endometrial Ablation can help you.
Why do periods cause bloating?
The primary cause of bloating is hormones. PMS begins during the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle. The hormones estrogen and progesterone will fluctuate, and the lining of your uterus gets thicker.
Will Advanced Endometrial Ablation help with my mood swings?
YES. After Dr. Clint Ashford carries out your Advanced Endometrial Ablation procedure, you will no longer have periods or many of the symptoms associated with your periods, including mood swings. Undergoing Advanced Endometrial Ablation at The Ashford Center only takes a few minutes, and it’s minimally invasive, so discomfort is minimal.
You need to be sure childbearing is complete before undergoing Advanced Endometrial Ablation, as you’ll be unable to conceive after removal of the endometrium.
To find out more about Advanced Endometrial Ablation and how it can help with your mood swings, call The Ashford Center or book a consultation online today.
When should you see a doctor?
If you are experiencing bloating that does not go away after your period and/or if it is severe enough to affect your daily life.
What are mood swings?
Mood swings are rapid changes in the way you feel. For example, you might feel happy and content one minute, then burst into tears; or you might feel calm and then suddenly become angry and lose your temper. Some women simply feel a steady level of anxiety, or irritability, or depression, or anger.
These changes in your emotions can be exhausting and frustrating because you never know how you’re going to feel at any given time, making it hard to manage all the activities in your day. These swings of mood may affect family life as well as productivity at work.
How can Advanced Endometrial Ablation help with hot flashes?
Advanced Endometrial Ablation may help reduce or eliminate hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause/perimenopause by gently removing the hormonally active lining of the uterus, the endometrium.
As menopause has such close links to menstruation, permanent removal of the endometrium has significant benefits for women who are experiencing unpleasant perimenopausal symptoms, including hot flashes.
Endometrial ablation is a 90-second procedure that is minimally invasive and pain-free. Advanced Endometrial Ablation gently removes the hormonally active inner lining of the uterus, and for most women ends periods and other perimenopausal symptoms for good.
For women who persist with symptoms of menopause/perimenopause (hot flashes/memory issues, etc.), Drs. Clint and Rebecca Ashford specialize in customized treatments to balance and restore normal function using bioidentical hormone therapies.
To find out more about Advanced Endometrial Ablation and how it could help you, call The Ashford Center or book an appointment online today.
What are hot flashes?
A hot flash is an unpleasant feeling of intense warmth or burning that flows through your body, often causing your skin to redden, your face and chest to flush, and sweat to break out.
The feeling generally comes on suddenly, which is why it’s called a hot flash. At one moment you may be feeling quite normal, but the next moment a wave of heat rolls over you and you start pouring sweat.
Hot flashes may be so severe that you feel faint. The feeling of overheating may last moments or for longer periods. They may occur infrequently, every day, or almost constantly. If they happen at night, hot flashes can cause night sweats, when you wake up and find the sheets are damp or even soaked through with sweat.
One thing is for sure: hot flashes are difficult to live with and for most women they interfere with the quality of life. It is not easy to be a productive, calm, and focused person in the midst of hot flashes!
How does Advanced Endometrial Ablation stop heavy periods?
Advanced Endometrial Ablation is the only procedure besides a hysterectomy that permanently stops heavy periods. The procedure is quick, simple, gentle, and performed under light sedation so you can get back to normal activities the next day.
An expert in Advanced Endometrial Ablation, Dr. Clint Ashford has extensive experience using a variety of FDA-approved techniques, including thermal energy, cryotherapy (freezing), and radio-frequency energy to safely remove the endometrium.
Once the ablation procedure is performed, most patients NEVER have another period, while a smaller number have significantly lighter periods--maybe a day or two of spotting from time to time.
Note: Advanced Endometrial Ablation is a permanent procedure. It is only appropriate for women whose childbearing is complete.
If you suffer from problems with your periods, call The Ashford Center or book an appointment online today.
What causes heavy periods?
Sometimes women are simply genetically predisposed to having heavy, painful periods despite normal anatomy and the absence of gynecologic pathology. However, several gynecologic conditions may also cause heavy menstrual bleeding, including:
- Uterine fibroids: Noncancerous growths that develop in the uterine wall
- Uterine polyps: Small growths that develop in the lining of the uterus
- Endometriosis: A condition in which cells from the uterine lining grow outside the uterus on the surrounding organs
- Adenomyosis: A condition in which cells from the uterine lining grow into the uterine wall
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): a common hormonal imbalance problem
- Thyroid Problems: Both low- and high-thyroid levels may be problematic
- Anemia: Anemia can be a result of heavy uterine bleeding, but anemia paradoxically can make uterine bleeding worse.
How are “heavy periods” defined?
In 2005, the FDA has formally decided that a woman herself should be the one to determine if her periods are “heavy” or “abnormal”. Therefore, nearly all insurance companies consider Advanced Endometrial Ablation a “covered service” if a woman is tired of having periods and would like to be period-free. In any case, menstrual periods are certainly considered abnormal when they are different from the average cycle. On average, periods last around five days and there should be about 24-38 days between periods.
Your periods are too heavy if:
- Periods are interfering with your personal life or productivity at work
- Bleeding lasts more than five days
- Blood soaks through one or more pads or tampons per hour
- You need to wear more than one pad at a time
- You need to change pads or tampons while you sleep
- You pass blood clots the size of a quarter or larger
If you meet any of these criteria — or if childbearing is complete and dealing with the hassle of periods is becoming a problem— it’s time to schedule a consultation with either Dr. Clint or Dr. Rebecca Ashford at the Ashford Center.
What is Fatigue? (fatigue)
Fatigue is a form of extreme tiredness that causes lethargy and a slowing down of the body and mind. If you have this kind of profound fatigue, you may feel like you have no energy at all from the moment you wake until bedtime. Extra sleep doesn’t help, and trying to push through the fatigue can be impossible. You may even feel like you need to leave work early so you can go home and lie down. It’s hard to be the kind of wife and mother you’d like to be!
How can Advanced Endometrial Ablation help with bloating?
Have you ever heard of a man complaining of bloating? Rarely, if ever. The reason is that most of the sensation that causes women to complain of “bloating” is actually caused by a neuroactive peptide from the shedding endometrium that triggers bowel edema (swelling within the wall of the intestine).
Some women say that they even have to wear different clothes in the premenstrual time-frame or that they gain 5-10 pounds of “water weight”. Advanced Endometrial Ablation at The Ashford Center stops premenstrual bloating by gently removing the lining of the uterus, which means no more periods or bloating! If there is no endometrium to break down, then the neuropeptide toxins that are the culprit causing these troublesome symptoms are gone altogether!!
Dr. Clint Ashford is a pioneer and a leading expert in Advanced Endometrial Ablation, having performed thousands of these procedures with consistent and successful results that can be truly life-changing for women with this problem.
Advanced Endometrial Ablation is a safe and pain-free solution for women suffering from PMS symptoms such as bloating, as well as difficult, painful, or heavy periods.
For more information, call The Ashford Center or schedule online for a consultation today.
What is Bloating?
Bloating is the feeling of swelling and overdistension of the abdomen caused by excessive fluid retention in the intestinal walls. This excessive fluid retention and bloating relate to a neuroactive peptide emitted by the degenerating endometrium prior to the period.
How can Advanced Endometrial Ablation help with low libido?
Advanced Endometrial Ablation can potentially help with low libido that is related to hormonal imbalance. The endometrium that lines the uterus is closely linked to hormone levels, as hormones trigger the breakdown of the endometrium that causes bleeding during a period.
Advanced Endometrial Ablation gently removes the endometrium without the need for invasive surgery. Once the endometrium is gone, periods are ended permanently and hormone imbalances are corrected.
Dr. Clint Ashford specializes in Advanced Endometrial Ablation procedures for women whose childbearing is complete and who wish to stop their periods for good.
To find out more about Advanced Endometrial Ablation and how it could help you, schedule a consultation online or by phone today.
Does Endometrial Ablation help women diagnosed with Endometriosis?
Yes, especially if the woman’s symptoms cluster before or during periods.
Can a woman get pregnant after having the Endometrial Ablation procedure?
No. Child-bearing must be complete in order for a woman to consider Endometrial Ablation.
Does The Ashford Center treat PCOS?
Once child-bearing is complete, Endometrial Ablation frequently makes a huge improvement in the symptoms women have who’ve been diagnosed with PCOS.
What Insurance is accepted at The Ashford Center?
Most health insurances are accepted. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept Medicare, Medicaid or Humana at this time.
Is the Endometrial Ablation procedure safe?
Complications can occur with any procedure, but the Endometrial Ablation has a safety profile similar to a minor dental procedure.
My doctor recommended that I have a hysterectomy. Is the Endometrial Ablation procedure an alternative to hysterectomy?
Usually YES! However, it depends on exactly why your doctor may have recommended a hysterectomy. The Ashford Center has effectively treated thousands of women without the need to resort to hysterectomy. On the other hand, certain pain conditions or large tumors require more invasive approaches, such as hysterectomy, with or without removal of the ovaries.
What are Fibroids and can they be the cause of my heavy periods?
Maybe. But though the fibroids don’t actually bleed, they may cause the lining of the endometrium to bleed more, and bleed irregularly. In most other cases, The Ashford Center is able to perform the Endometrial Ablation procedure for women with fibroids, stopping periods or nearly so, avoiding the need for hysterectomy in most cases. The best way to find out if you're a candidate for Endometrial Ablation is to schedule an appointment.
Will I experience pain with the Endometrial Ablation procedure?
NO! We GUARANTEE no pain. Our procedures are performed under light sedation administered by an Anesthesiologist. Some women may have mild/moderate cramping for a few hours after the procedures, however.
After Endometrial Ablation, will I ever have another period?
85% of our patients never have another period. The remainder may continue to have a day or two of spotting from time to time, especially if they have fibroids.
I’ve heard that periods cleanse the body of toxins? Is that true?
Yes. As the lining of the uterus (endometrium) degenerates, it does release a toxin that causes many women to experience fluid retention, abdominal bloating, headache, irritability, fatigue, chocolate cravings, as well as other symptoms. The menstrual periods expels these toxins and these symptoms subside. After removal of the endometrium with the Endometrial Ablation procedure toxins are no longer released, and most women’s PMS symptoms go away for good.
Which method does Dr. Ashford use to remove the endometrium (endometrial ablation)?
The FDA has approved 6 methods of endometrial ablation. Dr. Ashford is an expert in each of these methods, and will utilize the best procedure for each patient’s unique anatomy.
When was Endometrial Ablation approved by the FDA, and have there been problems or complications with them?
Endometrial Ablation received FDA approval in 2001. This procedure is safe and millions of women have benefited from it.
Comments from Women Like You.
Our Patients Say It Best
The best thing I EVER did!!! I can’t believe I waited a whole year before I called, if you want to do it....Don’t Procrastinate.It’s worth it…
Danniette L
I am just overly happy with the service I received from Dr. Ashford and his team .. Starting with The front office Mrs. Lauri she’s a very nice and patient and professional. From the first time I Spoke to Dr. Ashford via Telemedicine I was happy . Dr. Ashford took his time and explained to me what the procedure was and what to expect.. I love the fact De. Ashford didn’t seem rushed and he gave me an opportunity to ask questions. On the day of my Procedure he went over everything again to make sure I understood everything.. I thank Dr. Ashford and his staff for being professional ,personable and extremely nice .. I would recommend the Ashford Center anytime..
God’s Lady Crawford
Dr. Ashford and everyone from the front desk to the nurses are incredible! I’ve never had as great of an experience with any other office. Dr. Ashford was compassionate and understanding of the struggle that women can face and made me feel truly heard and gave me great hope. I had endometrial ablation on 4/15 following a telehealth appointment (I live two hours away from his office, so the exam was held on the following day per-surgery) where Dr. Ashford explained everything thoroughly and took time to answer any questions I had - all while my two toddlers crawled all over me. He laughed and said it was a joy to see and hear them. So sweet! The procedure was quick and painless and I have had no side effects! Highly recommend this procedure and wouldn’t send my friends or family anywhere else!
Whitney H
Dr.Ashford and his staff are amazing!!! They are very caring, thoughtful and make sure your experience is the best possible. The surgery I had has changed my life for the better!!! I’m beyond thankful for Dr.Ashford and his staff.
April G
I am so happy that I came to see Dr. Ashford. Since my procedure, I feel like a new person. I no longer have the monthly symptoms that were controlling my life before. Dr. Ashford takes as much time as you need to explain everything and his staff is very friendly and helpful.
Shannon Tucker