About 600,000 women in The United States have a hysterectomy. This is the procedure where the uterus is removed to alleviate painful symptoms. Millions of women have had a hysterectomy and due to new technologies there may an alternative to this procedure.
Alternative Solutions to a Hysterectomy Procedure
Uterine Fibroid Embolization
If your particular health issue involves fibroids there may be a procedure for you. Its called uterine fibroid embolization.
Uterine fibroids are muscular, usually benign tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus, however they often cause painful symptoms and can limit some other functions of the body. You may only have one fibroid in your body or there might be many and they can vary in size from tiny to the size of a baseball.
A common method if you are having no symptoms of your fibroids is called “watchful waiting.” This is essentially waiting for symptoms to show up and act accordingly when they happen. However, with uterine fibroid embolization its a minimally invasive, short (under one hour), safe and effective treatment for uterine fibroids where fertility is preserved.
With UFE, symptoms in patients improve significantly upwards of 90%.
Myomectomy
This procedure involves only removing the fibroids. This operation is done through the navel or via the vagina using a hysteroscope.
Hysteroscopy
This procedure allows a doctor to look inside your uterus in order to diagnose causes of abnormal bleeding. Hysteroscopy is done using a hysteroscope, a thin, lighted tube that is inserted into the vagina to examine the cervix and inside of the uterus.
Some of the most common ways the initial pain symptoms are treated is with NSAIDS. Motrin and Tylenol are quite often used. If symptoms don’t subside hormonal medications may be administered that involve blocking the ovaries production of estrogen and other hormones. Unfortunately these hormonal medications can bring on premature menopause. Hormonal therapy is only temporary as the fibroids will grow back if not removed with the correct procedure.
If you are considering a hysterectomy please speak to us about your situation as other alternative solutions might be available to you. Call (954) 315-2000.
