Gynecology

If you are one of the 10 million women suffering from abnormal uterine bleeding, perhaps polyps or fibroids, which grow inside the uterine cavity, are to blame. Often heavy or irregular bleeding between menstrual cycles is due to polyps, while heavy, irregular, or prolonged bleeding during the time of your period can be caused by fibroids.

Polyps – Polyp chances increase with age and most peak between ages 40 to 50. Usually polyps are not cancerous; however the risk goes up with age, family history of cancer, and other risk factors such as post-menopausal bleeding. It is important to discuss the treatment of polyps if you plan to become pregnant as they can lead to infertility.

Fibroids – Fibroids sometimes go unnoticed, but often cause back pain, pelvic pain, and heavy or prolonged or frequent bleeding. Fibroids are not typically associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer and they rarely develop into cancer. However, fibroids are a common health issue. Fibroids which grow and bulge into the uterine cavity have been associated with infertility.

Abnormal uterine bleeding can include the following:

• Prolonged bleeding
• Irregular bleeding
• Heavy or irregular period bleeding
• Post-menopausal bleeding

TRUCLEAR Procedure – In the past, a doctor may have prescribed hysterectomy or cauterization of the tissues as the appropriate solution to uterine fibroids and polyps. Today, your choice is a lot better thanks to the TRUCLEAR Procedure. With the TRUCLEAR Procedure, your physician can remove fibroids and polyps while keeping your uterus intact, which is important to many women and an increasingly popular alternative to the traditional treatments.

Uterine Ablation – Ablation destroys the lining of the uterus with the goal of reducing heavy bleeding. No incisions are needed for uterine ablation, and the procedure can be done in the office or as a surgical procedure. Your physician will evaluate factors such as the condition and size of your uterus to determine which option is best for you.

You might be a candidate for Uterine Ablation if:

• You have unusually heavy periods
• Bleed enough with each period to soak through a pad or tampon every hour
• Experience problems with anemia due to excessive blood loss

Your physician will discuss your symptoms with you and will be able to recommend the appropriate treatment. Be sure to ask her about the TRUCLEAR Procedure or Uterine Ablation to see if you are a candidate. Your physician will talk through the procedure and answer any questions you might have.

If you or a loved one is experiencing prolonged, irregular, heavy, or post-menopausal bleeding, make an appointment to discuss your options and the TRUCLEAR Procedure or Uterine Ablation with a physician today.

Essure is the safest and most effective method of permanent birth control available to women who have completed their family or chose not to have children. Essure does not require any incisions, general anesthetic, or hospitalization, and can be done in the comfort of your physician’s office.

During the Essure procedure, your physician will place a small device, about the thickness of a toothbrush bristle, into the fallopian tube, essentially plugging it when the device expands and anchors into the walls of your fallopian tubes. Over the next 2 to 3 months, your body will form scar tissue around the device, completely sealing off the fallopian tube and blocking the release of the egg and any incoming sperm. During this time you will need to use a secondary method of birth control. The procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes and requires only local anesthetic.

A physician can help you decide if Essure permanent birth control is right for you.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) uses medications of synthetically created female hormones to replace the ones naturally lost during and after menopause. HRT treats the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and mood swings caused by fluctuations and decreased female hormone function.

There are three kinds of Hormone Replacement Therapies:

Systemic Hormone Therapy – Systemic estrogen, which comes in pill, skin patch, gel, cream, injection, or spray form, and remains the most widely used and effective form of HRT for the relief of hot flashes and night sweats. Estrogen can also ease vaginal symptoms of menopause, such as dryness, itching, burning, and discomfort during sex.

Low-Dose Vaginal Products – Low-dose vaginal forms of estrogen come in cream, tablet, or ring form and can effectively treat vaginal symptoms of menopause. Low-dose HRT options minimize the amount of hormone absorbed into the whole body. Low-dose vaginal products do not work for treating hot flashes, and night sweats.

Bioidentical Hormones – Hormones that are identical to the molecular structure of naturally occurring hormones but made synthetically from plant extracts – usually soy or yams. Bioidentical hormone therapy carries no fewer and no more risks than other forms of hormone replacement, but one of the benefits may be that they are better absorbed by the body.

If you are post-menopausal and experiencing, hot flashes, night sweats, or mood swings, your physician will speak with you to determine the best option in Hormone Replacement Therapy for you. He or she will evaluate your symptoms and your medical history to determine the best HRT product, delivery method, and amount.