Heavy Periods/ Fibroids

Heavy periods or irregular menstrual bleeding can occur in women for many reasons. These include: irregular ovarian cycles, fibroids, adenomyosis, uterine polyps, bleeding disorders, medications such as blood thinners, precancerous or cancer of the uterus (rare overall), or obesity. Many women think that their heavy periods are “normal” for them – especially if they have had heavy periods for a long time. However, the medical definition of heavy periods can include any of the following:

Bleeding that occurs for 7 days or more during the month
Irregular, uncontrolled bleeding on other days of the month
Bleeding requiring an excessive number of tampons or pads
Bleeding resulting in the passage of blood clots or menstrual accidents (bleeding overflowing your pads, soiling your clothing or bedsheets)
Bleeding heavy enough to interfere with your normal daily activities

There are many treatment options for heavy periods and irregular bleeding. Whether or not you plan to have more children determines which options are available to you. Dr. Patel will thoroughly assess your bleeding and will involve you in the formulation of a plan. Not all patients need surgery, and at the same time, not all patients will respond to conservative management. Dr. Patel will discuss with your options with you and allow you to decide for yourself with path to take.

Fibroids are benign overgrowths of muscle within the wall of the uterus. They are very common – 50% of all women have fibroids in their uterus. Fibroids can cause problems such as infertility, heavy periods, and pelvic pain/ pressure symptoms. There are conservative medical as well as surgical treatment options for fibroids. Dr. Patel will thoroughly assess your fibroids and will involve you in the formulation of a plan. Not all patients need surgery, and at the same time, not all patients will respond to conservative management. Dr. Patel will discuss with your options with you and allow you to decide for yourself with path to take.

Acessa

Acessa is a newer, minimally invasive treatment for fibroids is radiofrequency ablation performed through laparoscopy (minimally invasive surgery). This treatment occurs from the inside of the fibroid, through small probes, rather than having to cut open the uterus or remove the uterus. The surrounding normal uterine tissue is not damaged or otherwise affected. The procedure is typically performed in an outpatient surgery center and patients can return to work within a few days. Patients who have undergone the Acessa procedure have reported improvements in their heavy periods as well as a reduction in overall fibroid size resulting in less pain/pressure symptoms.