Heavy Bleeding

Heavy bleeding

Paul Larson OBGYN Clinic

6525 France Avenue South, Suite 100

Edina, MN 55435-2103

952-927-4021

Non-Childbearing Women

If a woman has completed childbearing or does not desire to ever have a baby, additional treatment options are available. The treatment options include (a) uterine artery embolization, (b) endometrial ablation, and (c) hysterectomy.

(a) Uterine Artery Embolization

Uterine artery embolization is an outpatient hospital procedure done by a radiologist using strong IV sedation, which involves inserting a tiny catheter during angiography into the uterine arteries and then permanently closing those vessels with tiny plugs. This method helps reduce bleeding from fibroid tumors in 80% of patients treated. Some patients experience very significant pain immediately after the procedure. It is not known whether future pregnancies may be adversely affected or prevented.

(b) Endometrial Ablation

Endometrial ablation is an outpatient procedure designed to permanently destroy the tissue lining the uterus and responsible for menstrual bleeding. This can often be done in an office setting with a local anesthetic and minimal discomfort, allowing a rapid return to normal activities, usually in 1 or 2 days. Studies show that over 90% of patients experience a significant reduction in menstrual flow using this method. Some even stop having periods completely after a few months. Since this procedure doesn’t affect the ovaries, hormone levels remain unchanged afterwards, even if the periods stop. This procedure does not induce an early onset of menopause or provide permanent contraception. For that reason, a woman needs to continue to utilize contraception or consider sterilization with this method. Sometimes this procedure is done after an in office sterilization procedure to occlude the fallopian tubes (Essure).

Our practice currently uses several different devices for endometrial ablation. These include Novasure, Her Option, and...