According to the experts, around 20 percent women have to face excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding in their life time at one time or the other. This occurrence is mainly believed to take place as they near menopause.
Global endometrial ablation (GEA) is a new method that, apparently, conserves the female uterus. This method also evidently claims to reduce menstrual bleeding and boasts of an early patient recovery. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have attempted to asses the number of women who even after GEA don’t get permanent relief from their symptoms. These researchers also apparently wanted to unveil the various elements that increase the risk in these women.
The traditional standard treatments for excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding were hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus or the intake of hormone pills. It is stated that in spite of the approval of earlier studies regarding the safety of GEA, there are some women who have to undergo hysterectomy or any other treatment even after GEA.
The GEA procedure includes: surgeons, using an energy source demolish the endometrium or uterine lining and leave the uterus intact. After the tissue that lines the uterus has been perished, usually there is a reduction in the monthly menstrual flow and any accompanying pain. This method was apparently believed to be more cost-effective with lesser risks as compared to hysterectomy.
Abimbola Famuyide, MBBS, Mayo Clinic gynecologic surgeon, says that, “We’ve known for the past five to six years that global endometrial ablation devices are very effective. But some physicians have observed that up to 30 percent of patients may require additional treatment five years and beyond after undergoing ablation.†It is also believed that it may prove to be expensive, uncomfortable and troublesome for some of the patient’s who have to undergo any other treatment or hysterectomy, after GEA.
The study citing the GEA failure rates, according to the Mayo researchers consisted of a relatively small study population. In order to get the required information first hand, these researchers evidently referred to the medical records of around more than 800 GEA undergone women. Dr. Famuyide says that, “For example, patients who are seeking complete cessation of menstrual bleeding after GEA are more likely to undergo hysterectomy later to treat bleeding symptoms of any severity.â€
Researchers state that the recognition of risk factors that may influence treatment results following GEA, may be a step taken forward in this zone. This additional knowledge may aid the surgeons to categorize the patient’s in need of GEA.
The researchers also state that this may help the patients gain additional knowledge and choose the most appropriate treatment required, with the help of their surgeons.
Their findings are published in the Obstetrics and Gynecology issue.