Cold Comfort

Freezing away the pain of severe periods.

Let’s face it—“that time of the month” is never as carefree as it’s portrayed on TV commercials. Some women experience severe pain, heavy bleeding, migraine headaches or extreme fatigue to the point where they can’t even leave the house.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

“Many women think that severe pain and heavy bleeding during their periods is completely normal,” says Richard Salter, M.D., an obstetrician/gynecologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Garland. “But if your period disrupts your daily routine, it should be evaluated.”

For women who have completed childbearing but don’t want a hysterectomy, a solution may be endometrial ablation, which destroys the inner layer of the uterus. The result? Lighter, less-painful periods.

Thermal Treatments
Most current procedures for endometrial ablation apply a heat source to burn off the endometrial layer. One approach uses a balloon filled with very hot water; another cauterizes the tissue with a Y-shaped mesh probe that applies radiofrequency energy.

“For some patients, thermal ablation may be an effective way to treat heavy periods without major surgery,” Dr. Salter says. But no matter how heat is applied, burning hurts. Thermal procedures require IV sedation or full anesthesia, and many women are uncomfortable with that. Also, the resulting scar tissue may mask early warning symptoms of future uterine cancer.

The Deep Freeze
Recently, a less painful treatment alternative became available: Her Option^® endometrial cryoablation. In this procedure, a slender probe is used under ultrasound guidance to freeze the endometrial lining. Similar to dermatological freezing procedures, all the patient feels is a little tingling at first, then numbness.

“The patient is fully awake and relaxed,” Dr. Salter says. “One of my patients was even making phone calls during the procedure.”

Her Option^® is the only endometrial ablation procedure that is FDA approved to be done in a doctor’s office, and most insurance plans cover it. It takes about 20 minutes, with the woman in the office for 90 minutes total, and she can resume normal activities the next day. Periods taper off to their new level over three to six months.

“Endometrial cryoablation is generally easier and safer for the patient than thermal ablation,” Dr. Salter says. “It can be a good option for women who are finished with childbearing and are tired of heavy periods.”

By Deborah Paddison

Do you experience painful periods? For a referral to a gynecologist on the medical staff at Baylor Garland, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or use our on-line physician directory.