Cerene™ Cryotherapy Endometrial Ablation

At Balance Medical in Bismarck, we offer Cerene™ cryotherapy endometrial ablation, an in-office treatment designed to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and painful cramps.

Cerene uses controlled cooling therapy to treat the lining of the uterus, which is the tissue responsible for menstrual bleeding. The procedure is quick, minimally invasive, and requires little downtime. Many women experience lighter periods, fewer cramps, and far less planning life around their cycle.

If your period is running the show every month, it may be time to look at options that actually solve the problem.

Understanding Heavy Periods and Menstrual Pain

A lot of women are told heavy periods are just “part of life.” They aren’t.

Heavy menstrual bleeding, sometimes called menorrhagia, can look like:

• Bleeding longer than seven days
• Soaking through a pad or tampon every hour
• Waking up at night to change protection
• Passing large blood clots
• Feeling tired or anemic from blood loss

Heavy bleeding affects about 1 in 5 women and can significantly disrupt everyday life.

Many women dealing with heavy periods also experience painful cramps, called dysmenorrhea. These cramps can range from uncomfortable to severe and may interfere with work, sleep, and daily activities.

The good news is that treatments exist that address the source of the bleeding rather than just managing symptoms.

What Is Cerene™ Cryotherapy?

Cerene™ is an FDA-approved endometrial ablation treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding in women who have completed childbearing.

Endometrial ablation works by treating the lining of the uterus (the endometrium). Since this lining is what sheds during your period, treating it can significantly reduce how much bleeding occurs each month.

Cerene is unique because it uses cryotherapy, or cooling therapy, instead of heat. Cold therapy naturally numbs the tissue during treatment, which can make the procedure more comfortable for many patients.

Using cooling therapy instead of heat also creates a different healing response in the uterus. This approach tends to produce fewer intrauterine adhesions (scar tissue), which helps preserve access to the uterine cavity if future evaluations are ever needed.

Maintaining access to the uterine cavity can be important for future care, allowing doctors to perform evaluations such as imaging or diagnostic procedures if needed. In clinical studies, 99% of patients maintained uterine cavity access one year after Cerene treatment.

The active treatment lasts about 2.5 minutes, and the entire procedure typically takes around 7 minutes from start to finish. The procedure is performed right here in our office without surgical incisions or a hospital stay.

What the Procedure Is Like

Cerene treatment is performed in a private procedure room at our clinic. The experience is similar to a pelvic exam. A speculum is placed to access the cervix, and the Cerene device is gently inserted into the uterus. After safety checks are completed, the cryotherapy treatment is delivered.

Because cryotherapy has a natural numbing effect, many patients tolerate the procedure very well. In clinical studies, most patients reported pain levels during treatment that were considered mild and acceptable.

Once the treatment is finished, the device is removed and you will rest briefly before heading home the same day.

Recovery and What to Expect After

Recovery from Cerene is typically straightforward. Most women return to normal daily activities within about 24 hours.

During the healing process, it is normal to experience:

• Mild cramping
• Light spotting
• Watery or bloody vaginal discharge (this discharge can last two to four weeks as the uterus heals)

Many patients begin noticing improvements within the first few menstrual cycles, with full results developing over the next several months.

Results Patients Often Experience

Clinical studies of Cerene show strong outcomes for women dealing with heavy menstrual bleeding.

Research has shown:

• About 90% of patients reported normal, light, or no periods one year after treatment.
• 86% of patients reported improvement in painful menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).
• Results remained stable for up to three years in long-term follow-up studies.
• Only about 3% of patients required hysterectomy for heavy bleeding during that same period.

For many patients, the biggest benefit is simply not having to organize life around their cycle anymore.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Cerene?

Cerene may be a good option if you:

• Have heavy or prolonged periods
• Are done having children
• Want a non-hormonal treatment option
• Prefer a quick, minimally invasive procedure done in the office

This treatment is designed for premenopausal women with heavy menstrual bleeding caused by benign (non-cancerous) conditions.

Cerene and other endometrial ablation treatments are not recommended for women who plan to become pregnant in the future, since pregnancy after ablation can be dangerous.

There are also certain situations where ablation may not be appropriate, including active pelvic infection, certain uterine abnormalities, or suspected uterine cancer.

The best way to know if Cerene is right for you is to come in and talk through your symptoms and options.

You can also learn more about endometrial ablation treatment options here.

Why Balance Medical Offers Cerene

At Balance Medical, we believe women deserve practical solutions for health issues that affect everyday life.

Cerene is one of the technologies we offer because it provides:

• A quick in-office procedure
• Minimal recovery time
• High patient satisfaction
• Long-term reduction in heavy bleeding for many women

Our job is to help you figure out what will actually work for your body and your life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cerene

Ready to Talk About Treatment Options?

If heavy bleeding or painful periods are affecting your quality of life, you do not have to keep pushing through it.

Schedule a consultation with our team to talk about your symptoms and explore whether Cerene cryotherapy or another treatment option may be right for you.

For many women, relief from heavy periods can start with one short procedure.

Important Safety Information

Cerene® Cryotherapy is intended to ablate the lining of the uterus in premenopausal women with heavy menstrual bleeding due to benign causes who have completed childbearing. Pregnancy after endometrial ablation can be dangerous, so contraception must be used until menopause. Cerene is not appropriate for women with known or suspected uterine cancer or endometrial hyperplasia, active pelvic infection, or an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place. Temporary side effects may include uterine cramping, vaginal discharge, infection, or lightheadedness. As with any medical procedure, risks and complications are possible.