Surgery for heavy periods: What can help?

Surgery to remove the lining of the womb (endometrial resection or ablation) isn't always as effective as surgery to remove the womb (hysterectomy) over the long term. The procedure has fewer side effects, though. Neither approach is suitable for women who still want to have a baby.
Heavy periods (menorrhagia) can be a real problem. Because it's usually successful, surgery is sometimes seen as a permanent solution – at least for women who don’t want to have any (more) children. But all surgical procedures are associated with risks, so it’s important to carefully consider the options.
Heavy periods are not an emergency. There is enough time to weigh the pros and cons of the different types of surgery, as well as other options such as treatment with hormones.