Thermal Balloon Endometrial Ablation: An Effective Solution to Heavy Periods

Posted On: December 13, 2016

Suffering from Heavy Periods?

Have you been advised a Hysterectomy (removal of Uterus)?

Think Again…

Give me 10 minutes to simplify this problem!! Says, Dr. Mitali Vasavada, Gynecologist.

Menorrhagia or Heavy Periods, is a common disorder for many reproductive-age women, with significant impact on their medical, social, economic, and psychological well-being.

What are the causes of Heavy Periods?

The cause of HMB (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding) is not known in the majority of the cases, in which no pelvic or organic pathology is identified. However, HMB may have structural organic causes such as fibroids, adenomyosis, polyps, infections, pre-cancerous conditions or hematological disorders.

How can this be treated?

Medical treatment in the form of pills and injections are usually the first line of treatment offered to women.

However, medical therapy fraught with side-effects and symptoms of Menorrhagia invariably returns once therapy is stopped.

Surgical treatment is usually offered to patients who do not respond to drug therapy.

What is the surgical treatment that is offered?

Hysterectomy (removing the Uterus ) is the only permanent treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding  that guarantees Amenorrhea (complete cessation of menstrual periods), but it is associated with pre and postoperative complications, including incontinence and other urinary problems, fatigue, infection, pelvic pain and sexual problems apart from immediate complications such as bleeding and organ damage . Overall, 1 in 30 women suffers a major adverse event during or soon after the operation.

Is there any Alternative to this?

NICE and the Royal College UK (these are Internationally accredited organizations in Gynecology)   have recommended that Fluid-filled Thermal Balloon Endometrial Ablation should be offered to a woman with heavy menstrual bleeding where surgery is being considered as an appropriate way to manage her bleeding.

Thermal balloon ablation is thus a great new option to consider prior to undergoing full-blown surgery.

What are the advantages of this treatment over Traditional Hysterectomy?

Advantages of Thermal Endometrial Ablation

• Relatively risk-free
• Minimally invasive
• No cuts ( Incision)
• Takes just 10 minutes
• Postoperative recovery, almost immediate (you walk back home!!)
• Stops your bleeding immediately

Dr. Mitali Vasavada, MBBS DGO MRCOG (UK)

Gynecologist & Obstetrics

Shalby Hospitals, Ahmedabad

Contact: Phone: + 91 7940203000

FAX: +91 7940203120

E-mail: opd@shalby.org