Tired of your Period?
HER OPTION - Cryo Endometrial Ablation (CEA)
The procedure is called Her Option Office Cryoablation Therapy, and this is a cryo endometrial ablation (CEA) - a
freezing procedure - which is performed in the office under local anesthesia. It is the only FDA approved
in office ablation procedure for the treatment of heavy menses. It is 94% effective in decreasing
the amount of bleeding, the number of bleeding days and the cramps associated with menses. In our
experience, 30-40% of patients develop amenorrhea (no more periods) without affecting the
patient's hormone levels.
In the past, endometrial ablations have been thermal in nature and required
either general anesthesia or IV sedation in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center setting. Research
has shown that cryo ablation is very effective and easier on the patient in regards to perioperative and
post operative pain tolerance. Patient tolerance of cryoablation in the office is excellent - only 4%
of patients were uncomfortable during the procedure without IV sedation. The procedure usually lasts
only 20-25 minutes, and the patient can go home and later in the evening be up and about. The next day
the patient has no restrictions on activity. There are only 7-10 physicians in the Dallas-Fort Worth
area that perform the cryo endometrial procedure.
Here in the Dallas area, Her Option has been in the news coveraged from the local television stations. Channel 4 did a story on Her Option on 10/23/07 and
Channel 5 ran a story "Procedure Promises to End Periods' on Her Option on
10/10/06. You may go to www.HerOption.com
if you would like additional information.
Video Featuring Her Option:
Her Option Procedure - a Fox4 news story
A procedure for women with heavy cycles. This is an FDA-approved in-office ablation procedure that freezes the uterine lining. It takes 30 minutes.
Q: Is Her Option right for me? If you have completed having children
and you are unhappy with your periods, then you are a candidate for CEA. Women who have already
gone through menopause are not candidates.
Q: How safe is CEA? CEA is a safe endometrial ablation procedure. A
pre-procedure sonogram is performed to measure the size of the uterus. Other tests are performed to
make sure there are no other reasons for your heavy periods. During the CEA procedure, the sonogram
is utilized to watch the placement of the cryo probe and then watch the growth of the freezing zone
to make sure no damage is done to the surrounding organs around the uterus. None of the thermal
ablations utilize the sonogram as an extra measure of safety.
Q: Does the procedure hurt? Before the procedure, you are given medication
to help you relax, as well as to prevent any significant cramping. You will feel movement of the probe
during the procedure, but it will not be painful. Because we are freezing rather than burning the
endometrial lining; the freezing process freezes the pain receptors in the uterus similar to the way
an ice pack makes a sprained wrist go numb, so there is no perception of pain. Because of the
medications given, you will need to have someone to drive you to your appointment and home after the
procedure.
Q: How long will the procedure take? The actual procedure lasts
approximately 30 minutes. You will be asked to arrive approximately 1 hour before your appointment to
be given your medications and allow them time to take effect. After the procedure is over, you may
leave. Total time is approximately 1 1/2 hours.
Q: What happens after the procedure? When you return home you should
take it easy for a couple of hours. Later if you feel like going out, go ahead; just no alcoholic
beverages or driving until the next day. You may have a vaginal discharge for several weeks requiring
a tampon or pad. Spotting is also expected and can sometimes be heavy, especially around the time for
you subsequent period.
Q: How soon can I see results? Sometimes the results can take several
months. The first cycle can be heavy with clots, cramps, and even tissue. Even though the procedure
freezes the endometrial lining; there is still a scab, similar to freezer burn. The uterus will
either reabsorb the scab in which case the rest of your periods should be lighter or non-existent. If
your uterus doesn't reabsorb the scab, then at your first or second cycle the scab will release causing
a heavy period. No decision on the success or failure of the procedure should be made until the 3rd
month after the procedure. By 6 months you will know if the procedure is a success.
Q: How soon can I have intercourse after the procedure? While you are
having vaginal discharge, you should refrain from intercourse. By having intercourse too soon, you
might introduce normal vaginal bacteria into the uterus where it doesn't belong, and cause an infection
requiring hospitalization and I.V. antibiotics.
Q: How long should the results last? Her Option is intended to be a
one-time procedure with the results lasting until you go through menopause. Occasionally some patients
will return to having heavier than desired periods. At this time, most insurance carriers are paying
for repeat procedures.
Q: How long will I need to be off work? You will need to take off the day
of the procedure and the following day; if you feel up to it, you may return to work.
Q: Can I schedule the procedure at any time in my cycle? It is best to
have the procedure done the week after you finish your cycle. The endometrial lining is at it's
thinnest at that time, and doing the procedure at this time gives you the best chance of success.
Waiting until later in the cycle allows the lining to get thicker and decreases the chances of success.
You can be given medicine to take after your cycle starts to keep your lining thin and allow you
more freedom scheduling your procedure.
Q: Does my insurance cover the procedure? Most insurance carriers cover
Her Option. Our office always calls to check with your insurance company before your procedure
is scheduled. You are also given information so you can call and find out what your insurance will
require you to pay.
Call the Garland office (972-276-9902) now and schedule
your
consultation
and initial
work-up appointment.
