Endometriol Oblation

[janman55]

I hope I spelled this semi-correctly.

My 52 year old wife has had this procedure recommended to her by her doctor. Does anybody have any insight into this procedure?

 

[Paul1961]

AN Endometrial ablation is a procedure that uses a lighted viewing instrument (hysteroscope) and other instruments to destroy (ablate) the uterine lining. It is frequently done as an alternative to a hysterectomy.

women.webmd.com/endometrial-ablation-16200

 

[capsaicin]

Why were questions not asked of the recommending doctor? I mean, this is a fairly major procedure, and no questions were asked there?

 

[Corki]

I have heard people argue that this is not a moral treatment to undergo as Catholics. Does anyone know the actual status on that?

 

[Scottgun]

I have heard people argue that this is not a moral treatment to undergo as Catholics. Does anyone know the actual status on that?

It is acceptable if you are treating a disease and infertility is a side-effect . If you are doing it directly to sterilize yourself (don’t know if this procedure is used for that since it looks like it can grow back), it is unacceptable.

The trick is making sure the doctor is aware of moral issues and not just recommending a sterilizing act in lieu of non-sterilizing alternatives on the assumption that you don’t care.

 

[CatholicSam]

I have heard people argue that this is not a moral treatment to undergo as Catholics. Does anyone know the actual status on that?

I suppose it would fall under the same conditions as a hysterectomy. Not permissable for sterilization purposes, but allowed for serious health reasons. The treatment would have to *directly *help an ailment, such as treating the diseased endometriosis in this case. The “health reasons” can’t be that another pregnancy would cause health problems and therefore the sterilization is needed. Hope I didn’t confuse anyone

If it were me, I would definitely get a second opinion before having this done.

 

[Island_Oak]

I have heard people argue that this is not a moral treatment to undergo as Catholics. Does anyone know the actual status on that?

Nonsense. This procedure is neither recommended or performed for sterilization purposes.

I had this procedure performed in June of this year and had an excellent outcome. It is a very minor surgical procedure, performed on an out-patient basis. You return home the same day and are up and running as usual within a day or two. However, since there are risks with ANY surgical procedure and anesthesia is used, I would not rely on medical advice offered on an anonymous forum. Check with your MD or solicit a second opinion if you have concerns.

p.s. you or your wife are welcome to pm me if you have non-medical questions about the experience, recovery, etc.

 

[Scottgun]

Nonsense. This procedure is neither recommended or performed for sterilization purposes.

I got that impression from reading the description.

 

[capsaicin]

I have heard people argue that this is not a moral treatment to undergo as Catholics. Does anyone know the actual status on that?

Here we go again… reproductive organs are sacred. Did you miss the part where this woman is 52 years old? I highly doubt she can have children anymore!

It’s a medical procedure with morally legitimate uses. Just because a treatment involves the reproductive organs does not automatically make it off limits!

 

[Corki]

Here we go again… reproductive organs are sacred. Did you miss the part where this woman is 52 years old? I highly doubt she can have children anymore!

It’s a medical procedure with morally legitimate uses. Just because a treatment involves the reproductive organs does not automatically make it off limits!

Oh back off! I asked for clarification, for Pete’s sake. It doesn’t make sense to me either. That’s why I asked.

 

[janman55]

Easy now…

I should have been more specific. I read the information as to what happens in this procedure. I know the circumstances my wife is going through. My curiosity was more along the lines of when is this permissable from a morality standpoint. I guess I should assume that since her doctor is recommending this to treat a condition and its not being done for sterilization purposes it must be okay?

 

[Jennifer_J]

The treatment itself is morally neutral. The problem comes in, esp with younger women , that a pregnancy is very dangerous so most doctors will insist on a tubal ligation. The Church hasn’t spoken on whether this is licit or not, since the alternative is a hysterectomy, where total sterility is a result. That’s the only moral issue with the treatment.

 

[Corki]

The treatment itself is morally neutral. The problem comes in, esp with younger women , that a pregnancy is very dangerous so most doctors will insist on a tubal ligation. The Church hasn’t spoken on whether this is licit or not, since the alternative is a hysterectomy, where total sterility is a result. That’s the only moral issue with the treatment.

I just tried to google Church teaching and all I got was an article that said basically that it shouldn’t be offered in Catholic hospitals since you had to be on BC after having one; that to get pregnant after a ablation was very dangerous. That seems to match what you said about the tubal too.

But I have a friend who has it done a couple of times a year. That doesn’t seem right.

 

[Zelie_Louis]

Please contact your health professional for insight into this medical procedure.