Menstrual Bleeding Treatment Safer Th... ( Ablation technique is a less invasive...)

Menstrual Bleeding Treatment Safer Than Thought

Date:1/23/2009

Ablation technique is a less invasive alternative to hysterectomy, researchers note

FRIDAY, Jan. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Far fewer women than previously thought need additional surgery to stop excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding after undergoing an alternative to hysterectomy called global endometrial ablation (GEA), a new study finds.

GEA, a relatively new procedure, has been regarded as being just as effective as hysterectomies while being less invasive with slightly lower complication rates and costs. During the surgery, heat, cold, microwave or radiofrequency energy is used to destroy only the uterine lining while keeping the uterus intact. Scar tissue then forms and monthly menstrual flow and its pain typically decrease.

The Mayo Clinic study, published in the January issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology, found that about 16 percent -- nearly half of past estimates -- of women required a hysterectomy to treat excessive bleeding in the first five years following an ablation.

"We've known for the past five to six years that global endometrial ablation devices are very effective," Mayo Clinic gynecologic surgeon Abimbola Famuyide, one of the study's authors, said in a news release issued by the facility. "But some physicians have observed that up to 30 percent of patients may require additional treatment five years and beyond after undergoing ablation."

More susceptible to a lack of permanent symptom relief, according to the the team, were GEA patients younger than 45 who had a tubal ligation to prevent pregnancy or had debilitating menstrual pain prior to the procedure.

Excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding affects an estimated one in five women at some time in their lives, often during the onset of menopause.

The low failure rate, the researchers suggested, might also mean that the study sample contained many patients properly counseled to have realistic expectations
'/>"/>

1

GOOD

Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Mayo researchers offer new insight into effectiveness of procedure to stop heavy menstrual bleeding
2. Taking Control: Future Therapies for a Host of Serious Diseases May Be Found in Womens Menstrual Blood
3. Complementary medicines can help mild depression and premenstrual syndrome
4. Delayed Sleep Pattern Tied to Irregular Menstrual Cycles
5. Safe to Stop the Flow?: Differing Attitudes Found Between Women and Doctors Concerning Menstrual Suppression
6. Differing attitudes found between women and doctors concerning menstrual suppression
7. MRI Scans Reveal Post-Heart Attack Bleeding
8. Bleeding hearts revealed with new scan
9. CSL Behring Receives FDA Approval of RiaSTAP(TM), First and Only Approved Treatment of Acute Bleeding Episodes in Patients with Congenital Fibrinogen Deficiency
10. Steroid After Tonsillectomy Raises Bleeding Risk
11. Study identifies double-balloon enteroscopy as cost-effective approach for obscure GI bleeding

Post Your Comments:

Menstrual Bleeding Treatment Safer Th...( Ablation technique is a less invasive...),Health