If your periods are so heavy and or prolonged that they disrupt your normal daily activities, you may have excessive menstrual bleeding also known as menorrhagia. Symptoms of menorrhagia may also include cramping, pelvic pain and, in severe cases, anemia.

Excessive menstrual bleeding is a common condition that occurs for many of reasons. Two of the most common causes are a hormonal imbalance and uterine growths.

Hormonal Imbalances

Your menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. When these hormones are out of balance, they can cause heavy periods or bleeding between periods. Causes of hormonal imbalances may include:

• Hormonal changes in teens and in women nearing menopause
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• Obesity
• Stress
• Strenuous exercise
• Anorexia (eating disorder)

Types of Uterine Growths

• Fibroids – benign (non-cancerous) growths in or near the uterus
• Polyps – growths that attach to the inner wall of the uterus and protrude into the uterine cavity

Treatment Options

There are medication and non-invasive treatment options available. Treatment options could include NSAIDs, oral contraceptives, oral hormones or a hormonal IUD.

You may need surgical treatment for menorrhagia if medical therapy is unsuccessful. Treatment options include:

Dilation and Curettage (D&C)

During this procedure, your doctor opens (dilates) your cervix and then scrapes or suctions tissue from the lining of your uterus to reduce excessive menstrual bleeding.

Uterine Artery Embolization

For women whose menorrhagia is caused by fibroids, the goal of this procedure is to shrink any fibroids in the uterus by blocking the uterine arteries and cutting off their blood supply.

Myomectomy

This procedure involves surgical removal of uterine fibroids.

Endometrial Ablation

This procedure involves destroying (ablating) the lining of your uterus (endometrium). The procedure uses a laser, radiofrequency or heat applied to the endometrium to destroy the tissue.

Endometrial Resection

We use the Myosure procedure to remove the growth on your uterus while preserving form and function of the uterus. Both endometrial ablation and endometrial resection benefit women who have very heavy menstrual bleeding.

Hysterectomy

This surgery to remove your uterus and cervix is a permanent procedure that causes sterility and ends menstrual periods. Hysterectomy is performed under anesthesia and requires hospitalization. Additional removal of the ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy) may cause premature menopause.

Many of these surgical procedures are done on an outpatient basis. Although you may need a general anesthetic, it’s likely that you can go home later on the same day. An abdominal myomectomy or a hysterectomy usually requires a hospital stay.

For those who require a surgical procedure, traditional open GYN surgery uses larger incisions for access to the uterus and surrounding anatomy which, ultimately, results in more pain, trauma and a longer recovery process.

Minimally Invasive Robotic-Assisted GYN Surgery

Drs. Pierce, Ung and Gamburg are the Princeton area’s most experienced GYN surgeons using the da Vinci® XiTM Surgical System for minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries.

Minimally invasive procedures like robotic-assisted GYN surgery are especially promising for women who would like to have children in the future. For instance, when removing fibroids – regardless of the size and location of the fibroid – the surgeon is able to better see where they are operating and to make precise movements to remove it, preserving the delicate structures of the pelvis and decreasing the chance of future complications.

The overall benefits of robotic-assisted GYN surgery include:

• Fewer complications
• Less blood loss and risk of infection
• Significantly less pain and scarring
• Shorter recovery time for a quicker return to normal activities
• A less invasive surgical option to get you back to your daily life

By operating with the da Vinci® XiTM Surgical System, our patients who suffer from excessive menstrual bleeding see noticeable benefits because incisions are smaller, pain is minimized and recovery time is reduced.

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci Xi Surgical System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Xi Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.

You don’t have to suffer from excessive menstrual bleeding any longer. To learn more about your treatment options, Contact Us for an Appointment HERE.