Today’s woman has more options than ever to address her most personal health concerns. In the past five years, women’s health care has dramatically improved. Minimally invasive surgery has become a popular solution to treating common gynecological problems. Office-based procedures have become popular because women prefer to have a procedure done in the comfort of a familiar atmosphere, such as her doctor’s office.
Our physicians understand that women have busy lives. We know a trip to the hospital can be an intimidating experience. This is why we perform office-based procedures in selected cases. Hormones and incisions are not necessary with these procedures. Minimal pain and slight discomfort are sometimes experienced by our patients but within a few minutes, you leave with your condition treated.
At the Institute For Women’s Health, our physicians offer global endometrial ablation, Essure transcervical sterilization and hysteroscopy for evaluation and treatment of abnormal bleeding. These procedures diagnose and treat common gynecological conditions, such as abnormal bleeding and removal of small polyps, to name a few. In a short time you could have a procedure that will improve your quality of life. Office-based procedures are performed by most Institute For Women’s Health physicians at select offices.
Global Endometrial Ablation
Global endometrial ablation is an outpatient procedure that takes only minutes and is recommended for women who suffer from heavy and/or prolonged menstrual periods. This condition, known as menorrhagia, affects one in five women in the United States. Global edometrial ablation reduces or eliminates excessive bleeding by safely destroying the endometrial lining of the uterus. The procedure usually takes less than five minutes, requires no incisions or hormones, involves minimal recovery time, and can be performed in the physician’s office.
A 35-year-old woman, whose family was complete, presented with excessive bleeding. It was common for her to soak through 10 or more tampons per day. She couldn’t take time off work and wanted a minimally invasive procedure to eliminate her problem. Her bleeding was so severe it interfered with work and social activities. A week later, she underwent a global endometrial ablation with local anesthesia. Within 36 hours she returned to work and resumed her daily activities. She now has no periods and her lifestyle has improved.
This procedure is only appropriate for pre-menopausal women with excessive menstrual bleeding (due to benign causes) who have completed childbearing. Global endometrial ablation does not replace birth control for the prevention of pregnancy. With the advances in women’s health care, the global endometrial ablation is a safe procedure available to women who suffer from painful and heavy periods.
Essure
The Essure procedure is a permanent birth control solution without hormones, incisions or going under general anesthesia. It can be preformed right in one of our select offices in approximately 10 minutes and allows you to return to your daily routine quickly, usually within a matter of 24 hours. Essure is 99.80 percent (based on four years of follow-up) effective at preventing pregnancy.
During the procedure a soft, flexible micro-insert is passed through the vagina and cervix into each fallopian tube. In the weeks following the procedure, your body creates a natural barrier which prevents sperm from reaching the egg. For the first three months following the procedure, you will be placed on another form of contraception. After the three-month time period, your ovaries will continue to produce eggs, which will be absorbed by your body.
Hysteroscopy
Hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows your physician to look at the lining of your uterus. He or she uses a thin viewing instrument called a hysteroscope. It is inserted through the vagina and cervix and can be performed in your physician’s office. A hysteroscopy may be performed to:
- Find the cause of abnormal bleeding and bleeding after menopause
- Find the possible causes of repeated miscarriages
- Find and remove small fibroids or polyps
- Find and reposition a misplaced intrauterine device
- See whether a problem in the shape or size of the uterus or if scar tissue in the uterus is the cause of infertility
The opening of your cervix may need to be dilated or made wider with special instruments. The hysteroscope is then inserted through your vagina and cervix and into your uterus. Next, a liquid or gas is usually released through the hysteroscope to expand your uterus so your physician will have a better view of the inside. Lastly, a light source shone through the hysteroscope allows your physician to see the inside of the uterus and the openings of the fallopian tubes into the uterine cavity.
The physicians at the Institute For Women’s Health are here for you. For more information regarding office-based procedures, please call 34-WOMAN or visit www.ifwh.org.
