Excessive menstrual bleeding is a debilitating condition that affects one in five women ages 35 to 49 years old in the United States. It is one of the most common afflictions in contemporary gynecology. Two-thirds of sufferers are anemic and may also experience severe pain and fatigue, all of which can result in restricted social activities, missed time from work and emotional distress. In recent years, the practice of endometrial ablation has brought relief to more than one million women sufferers.
Historically, physicians had few options for women with heavy menstrual bleeding. Hysterectomy or long-term hormonal therapies were the primary choices for treatment. Now endometrial ablation has become a popular option for its effectiveness and convenience.
Joseph Metz, MD, an OB/GYN with McLaren Medical Group is one of several area physicians utlizing the NovaSure system to perform endometrial ablation procedures in his office and at McLaren Flint.
"The NovaSure System was selected for use among McLaren physicians because it is safe and effective," noted Dr. Metz. "I am pleased with the built-in safety check to test the integrity of the uterus before the procedure. The entire procedure takes approximately 90 seconds. Of the many patients I have treated with NovaSure, over 90% have experienced a return to normal periods or no longer have a period at all."
About the NovaSure System
Since the procedure was approved by the FDA in 2002, over one million NovaSure treatments have been performed.
The NovaSure system works by applying a 90-second, precisely controlled dose of radio-frequency energy to destroy the lining of the uterus. Unlike other endometrial ablation treatments, the NovaSure procedure is customized to each patient and requires no hormonal pre-treatment, which is often associated with side-effects and treatment delays. It can be performed in an outpatient setting or doctor's office at any time during the menstrual cycle, increasing flexibility for both the patient and physician. The NovaSure procedure provides a safe and effective alternative to hysterectomy and oral contraceptive therapy for women suffering from excessive menstrual bleeding.
Endometrial ablation is appropriate only for premenopausal women with patient-perceived excessive menstrual bleeding due to benign causes who have completed childbearing. The procedure does not replace birth control for the prevention of pregnancy.
In 2008, global endometrial ablation (GEA) procedures were the most common treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding. Doctors performed approximately 312,000 GEA procedures across the country, with NovaSure accounting for 66 percent of the GEA market. Despite the potential surgical complications and lengthy recovery times, hysterectomy is still considered a common treatment option for heavy menstrual bleeding. Of the roughly 600,000 hysterectomies performed each year in the United States, approximately 17 percent are performed to treat excessive menstrual bleeding.
For more information, visit www.novasure.com