During different stages of life, women may occasionally suffer from irregular or heavy menses. Hysterectomy is one treatment option, the choices for therapy depending primarily on the cause of the abnormal bleeding, and patient preference. In a postmenopausal woman, bleeding is simply not normal, unless one is using cyclic hormone therapy. Such bleeding should always be investigated by a healthcare professional. Abnormal or heavy bleeding during reproductive years could be caused by fibroids, endometrial polyps, or simply hormone irregularities.

Some women may require tissue sampling, to confirm a diagnosis, either endometrial biopsy, or potentially uterine dilatation and curettage. Hysteroscopic evaluation of the uterine cavity often can reveal either polyps or fibroids present, and can be used for removal of these lesions. If indeed however there are no abnormal findings, and the patient continues to have problems, she may opt for a procedure called endometrial ablation, rather than hysterectomy.

Endometrial ablations may be performed using the hysteroscope, ablating the lining of the uterine cavity by cautery, or resection. The lining can be ablated as well using super heating with the balloon, or other methods. Success rates are greater than 80% achieving normal to light normal menses following such procedures. Until recently, such a procedure required outpatient surgery setting with anesthetic. However, there are now additional choices.

Her Option is an FDA approved in-office endometrial ablation using cryotherapy. It is well tolerated. Success rates are the same as similar out patient procedures noted above. Insurance coverage for such procedures is usually not a problem. Please see additional article titled "Her Option Is Now Your Option". Washington Women's Care is happy to provide further information regarding any of the options outlined above.

(252) 946-6544 • 1-800-675-5694