Surgical Solutions to Heavy Periods

Many women experience heavy menstruation at different points in their lives. Some women seek to alter menstrual flow when it results in limiting regular physical activities or when it causes other medical issues. One condition known as menorrhagia is characterized by abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding at regular intervals. Possible causes of menorrhagia include hormonal imbalance, such as low estrogen levels experienced during menopause; benign fibroid tumors; or disorders of the uterine lining. For women who have completed their childbearing years, the most widely used methods to relieve heavy periods include hysterectomy and ablation surgery.

For several reasons, doctors are more commonly recommending ablation surgery as an alternative to hysterectomy. A hysterectomy requires a long recovery period and deep surgical incisions. On the other hand, ablation surgery is far less invasive and is performed as an outpatient procedure. The procedure often results in minimal or no menstrual bleeding following surgery. Ablation surgery leaves the uterus intact but destroys the lining using lasers, heat, freezing, and other methods. The quickest form of ablation surgery is a system called Novasure, which takes 90 seconds to perform and involves no incisions. Because this procedure involves electrically generated heat, it can treat the entire uterine cavity at once.

Today’s rapidly evolving medical technology and equipment mean that women today have more options than ever. At one time, hysterectomies were the only option for many women seeking to relieve heavy periods and related complications. Fortunately, many women are now able to consider less invasive, yet often equally effective, means of treating many medical issues.