Hysterectomy Alternatives

Medical Therapy

Some women bleed heavy with the menstrual cycle (menorrhagia) or have severe pain with the period (dysmenorrhea).  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen can often help to decrease the amount of pain as well as decrease the amount of bleeding with each cycle.

Some types of abnormal or heavy uterine bleeding can be treated with the use of estrogen or progesterone, or sometimes both. Gynecologists often prescribe oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) that contain estrogen and progesterone to control the menstrual cycle and lessen menstrual pain.

An additional option for some women who have heavy menstrual bleeding is the use of the Mirena Intrauterine System (IUS).  The Mirena is a contraceptive device placed within the uterus to prevent pregnancy by releasing the female hormone progesterone locally into the uterus.  Because the hormone is absorbed by the uterus, very little hormone reaches the blood stream and side effects from the medication are mild or rare.  The lining within the uterus called endometrium becomes thin and bleeding with the cycle significantly decreases or for many women goes away completely.  The device needs to be replaced after 5 years of use and is not just for women wanting or needing birth control.

It is important to explore non-surgical options for treatment of heavy menstrual or abnormal bleeding thoroughly with your physician; however, when medical treatments are not appropriate or fail to alleviate abnormal bleeding, there are alternative surgical treatments that do not involve removal of the uterus.   Many women are candidates for hysterectomy alternatives, and Dr. Garcia is committed to offering, not only medical therapy when appropriate, but to offering women minimally invasive surgical options.