New medical techniques that could save thousands of women the pain and misery of a hysterectomy were recommended today by health watchdogs.

Women suffering from heavy periods should be offered the option of microwave endometrial ablation - sometimes referred to as the three-minute hysterectomy - according to guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice).

Another technique - fluid-filled thermal balloon endometrial ablation - was also recommended for use in the NHS in England and Wales after both methods were judged to be effective on both clinical and cost grounds by the watchdog last year.

Microwave endometrial ablation involves the use of a hand-held "wand" that emits low-powered microwaves to remove the lining of the womb to treat women suffering from heavy periods, known as menorrhagia.

Such women can currently be offered hormone treatment, which is often ineffective, or another procedure whereby the lining of the womb is removed using a wire loop, which can cause complications. Many end up being given a hysterectomy to treat the problem, meaning a painful recovery taking up to two months.

Balloon thermal endometrial ablation uses a heated balloon to destroy the lining of the uterus. The new techniques can mean women returning to work or their normal day-to-day activities almost immediately, compared with the weeks or months of recovery time needed after a hysterectomy.

It has been estimated that it could save the NHS up to £30m a year and relieve pressure on hospital beds.

Nice's chief executive, Andrew Dillon, said: "This appraisal is another example of Nice working to ensure that effective new treatments are made available to patients across the NHS. Today's guidance means that where surgery is a clinically appropriate way of managing heavy menstrual bleeding, women can choose from a wider range of alternative treatments."

Pat Thompson, health information manager at charity Women's Health, said the treatments represented an important advance in treating heavy periods and offered women a wider choice.

"These treatment options are less invasive, with a quicker recovery time than hysterectomy. Menorrhagia is estimated to affect 1.5 million women in England and Wales and the guidance will be welcomed by patients who should now have the option to benefit from the new treatments where clinically appropriate."