By Susan Benson, MD

Many women suffer needlessly from irregular, heavy, or unpredictable menstrual bleeding.  Hormonal treatments or invasive surgical procedures often have been the traditional treatment for many of the common causes of abnormal bleeding.  However, there is a simple, effective way to eliminate the annoyance of abnormal menstrual bleeding.  A non-invasive, outpatient surgery that gets great results and has minimal recovery time:  Novasure (R) Endometrial Ablation.

Many Women Helped

The Novasure (R) uses radiofrequency heating to essentially remove the lining of the uterus so that it can no longer cause bleeding.  Women who suffer from heavy menses, unpredictable bleeding, painful menses, or even anemia as a result of menstrual bleeding can be helped with this procedure.  Women enduring the stages of menopause with unpredictable bleeding are also common candidates.

Some causes of bleeding are not appropriately treated by ablation, and a conversation with your doctor regarding the cause of your bleeding as well as a physical exam can often help decide whether ablation is right for you.  Ablation is only appropriate for women finished having children.

No Incisions and Quick Recovery

The procedure takes less than 10 minutes, does not involve any incisions/suturing, and is safe.  Patients are in the comfort of their own homes later the same day.  Postoperative pain is minimal, with many patients only requiring over-the-counter pain medicines for 24-48 hours.  Fifty percent of women will never have bleeding again after this procedure.  Of women who continue to have light periods, 95% are still satisfied having had the surgery.  This is one of the most common, successful procedures gynecologists perform.

A visit and exam with your doctor to determine the cause of any abnormal bleeding is the best way to determine whether ablation is right for you.