Endometrial Ablation: A surgical technique that uses energy such as a laser or electrosurgical probe to destroy the endometrial lining of the uterus.
Endometriosis: A condition in which patches of endometrial tissue, or the cells that lines the uterus, become implanted in abnormal locations outside of the uterus. It frequently occurs in the pelvis and abdomen. Surgical removal of the abnormal tissue is often required. Endometriosis also may lead to adhesion formation.
Excessive Menstrual Bleeding: Also known as menorrhagia. Defined as blood loss of more than 80mL during a menstrual cycle. This translates into soaking more than 10 pads or tampons per day during the menstrual cycle. There are two types of excessive menstrual bleeding: dysfunctional and structural.
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance, especially in perimenopausal women approximately 35-45 years of age. In diagnostic tests the uterus looks normal. The majority of women with excessive menstrual bleeding are in this category.
- Structural causes of excessive menstrual bleeding include fibroids, polyps, infection and pre-cancerous or cancerous conditions.
Fibroids: Growths or tumors that frequently occur on the muscles and connective tissues inside the uterine walls or on its surface. Fibroids, also known as myomas, usually are benign.
Uterine artery embolization or Fibroid Embolization: A procedure that blocks some of the blood supply to the uterus, thereby causing the fibroid to shrink.
Fibroid Vaporization Therapy: An electrosurgical procedure that uses electric current to remove unwanted fibroid tissue upon contact, leaving the uterus intact.
Hysterectomy: The surgical removal of the uterus. There are seven types of hysterectomy including: total abdominal, vaginal, laparoscopically-assisted vaginal and laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy.
Hysteroscopy: A method of viewing inside the uterus and other reproductive organs using a tiny, thin, lighted telescope (hysteroscope), which is inserted through the vagina into the uterus. Hysteroscopy includes techniques for diagnosis and treatment of uterine abnormalities that cause reproductive problems and abnormal bleeding.
Laparoscopy: Surgical inspection of the abdominal cavity and pelvic structures with a narrow, lighted tube, or endoscope, inserted through a small incision at the belly button. In addition, surgical procedures can be performed with the use of laparoscopic techniques, minimizing the incision and reducing recovery time.
Laparoscopically-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy that combines laparoscopic surgery with a vaginal hysterectomy.
Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy: An outpatient or overnight laparosopic hysterectomy procedure that leaves the cervix in place.
Laparotomy: Standard pelvic surgery with traditional surgical tools.
Myomectomy: Surgical removal of uterine fibroids that leaves the uterus intact.
Peritoneum: Membrane that lines the walls and outer surfaces of abdominal organs. When the peritoneum is cut or traumatized during pelvic surgery, there is a risk of adhesion formation during the healing process.
Polyp: A growth in the uterine lining, usually benign (non-cancerous).
Utero-vaginal Prolapse: A condition when the uterus falls out of its normal position and, in severe cases, protrudes from the vagina.
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus through an abdominal incision. The most common type of hysterectomy, it is the preferred procedure for women with severe endometriosis, cancer, pelvic inflammation or scarring from previous surgeries.
Vaginal Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy that is performed through the vagina without an abdominal incision.
