Contraceptive information after endometrial ablation.

We reviewed the records of the patients considered "fertile" in a consecutive series of 206 patients treated by intrauterine balloon ablation for dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and three pregnancies were observed among 58 patients (5.2%), with two spontaneous abortions and a placenta accreta at 26 weeks. These findings lead us to conclude that balloon ablation is not contraceptive and that use of a supplemental contraceptive method should be planned. Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation and nonhysteroscopic endometrial thermal ablation are the first-line conservative surgical treatments for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Their use reduces the rate of hysterectomies for this common problem. Because of their effects on the endometrium and uterine cavity (synechiae), these treatments are indicated only for patients who do not wish to remain fertile.