Is Hysterectomy the Only Choice for Abnormal Bleeding?
If you have abnormal or excessive bleeding, you may be wondering if hysterectomy is your only choice.
Abnormal or dysfunctional bleeding can be caused by hormone issues, polyps in the uterus and/or cervix, endometrial hyperplasia, and other conditions including fibroids, adenomyosis, pelvic infection, and uterine or cervical cancers.
Ranging from light to heavy, bleeding may be simply an inconvenience or it may interrupt your daily activities, particularly if it’s associated with pelvic pain and uterine cramping. Fortunately, there are several treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
- Hormones to regulate ovulation and menstruating for hormone related bleeding
- Progestin-containing IUD (Intrauterine device) for endometrial hyperplasia.
Surgical Treatment Options
- Endometrial ablation: removal of uterine lining by rollerball or rollerbarrel, thermal balloon, or freezing
- Hysterscopy for removal of polyps in uterus and/or cervix
- Hysterectomy: removal of uterus
A hysterectomy is used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding only when other approaches have failed.
Options Besides Hysterectomy for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding is published by permission from HysterSisters.
