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| Vol. 24, No. 8 |
| May 1, 2002 |
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Procedure Eliminates Menstrual Bleeding by HEATHER RUSSELL Baylor College of Medicine Women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding or irregular periods could benefit from a minimally invasive surgery, without having to undergo a hysterectomy. "With the number of options available for women today, a hysterectomy is often an unnecessary procedure," said Dr. Robert K. Zurawin, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine. "The recovery time for a hysterectomy also takes away a great deal of time from family and work." A hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure in which a woman’s uterus is removed through a surgical incision in the abdomen or through the vagina. Benign uterine growths, pelvic pain, and excessive menstrual bleeding are the most common reasons for hysterectomy. In addition to a prolonged recuperation period, possible complications include decreased sexual pleasure, bladder control problems, hypertension, weight gain, infection and hemorrhage. Endometrial ablation, an alternative to hysterectomy, is a procedure in which the lining of the uterus is destroyed by using a hysteroscope. Most women who have a successful endometrial ablation will have little or no menstrual bleeding. Since an endometrial ablation destroys the lining of the uterus, the procedure is not for anyone who wants to bear children in the future. Women who have a malignancy of the uterus or who have severe pelvic pain are not good candidates. In the outpatient procedure, pain is minimal, and most women are able to return to their regular activities within a few days. "Hysterectomy and endometrial ablation have been around for many years, however, older technologies and instruments have made doctors hesitant to perform the procedure due to the risk of complications," said Dr. Zurawin. "With today’s advancements, endometrial ablation is a safe procedure for women who want to preserve their uterus and continue to live an active, healthy lifestyle without having a period."
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