New Procedure for Menstrual Bleeding Brings Relief to Women

“Heavy menstrual bleeding can affect women of all ages. One in five women will at some point have periods that are so heavy or prolonged it becomes debilitating and can lead to medical problems.” Wayne White MD, OB/GYN, Women’s Health Associates of Derry

Parkland Medical Center now offers a new procedure called NovaSure. This procedure is part of group of treatments called global endometrial ablation to treat heavy menstrual bleeding. NovaSure involves delivering energy to the lining of the uterus. This newer treatment option is a relatively short procedure and is completed within two minutes. According to Wayne White MD, obstetrician and gynecologist, a normal menstrual flow involves the shedding of the lining of the uterus. The lining is built back up and then shed again during the next period. The NovaSure treatment delivers energy to the uterus to prevent the lining from regenerating.

“There is a wonderful benefit to this new procedure,” said Dr. White. “At the present time there are over 500,000 hysterectomies performed every year and about 40 percent are done to treat bleeding problems. Women now have another option and may be able to avoid major surgery.”

Although the treatment may result in mild cramping, a patient can usually return to her normal daily activities within one to two days after a treatment. Not every woman will respond to the treatment. Some women have a partial response and their periods continue but are extremely light and they suffer less discomfort. “Even this is a successful result,” said Dr. White.

Heavy loss of blood can lead to fatigue, chest pain, and anemia, which is a shortage of red blood cells. Heavy bleeding can also be a sign of polyps, fibroids or pre-cancerous tumors. According to White, “In cases such as this treatment usually involves removing the growths and this may be able to be accomplished at the same time as the endometrial ablation.”

According to Dr. White, those patients who still wish to have children should not undergo this procedure because it destroys the lining of the uterus. This new option is available to women who have a hormonal imbalance, are using hormone pills to control their menstrual cycle, or those women who have considered a hysterectomy as a treatment option.

For more information visit HeavingBleeding.com