Are my periods normal?

The average period last 5-7 days, however you should talk to Dr Santiago if you are having periods heavier than you like or experience any symptoms such as:

• severe pain or cramping
• clotting you may benefit from this procedure
• Menstrual flow that soaks through a tampon or napkin every hour
• Menstrual flow that interferes with work or social activities
• Menstrual flow that last longer than 7 days

Is an ablation the right choice for me?

Dr. Santiago will discuss all options to correct your bleeding and together develop a customized plan that will best fit your needs. If your pap smear and intrauterine biopsy (usually performed in our office) are normal and you wish to have no more children in the future, this is a good option to improve your condition.

What is NovaSure Endometrial Ablation?

Quick - Simple - Safe and Effective

• Quick - The actual procedure is done in just five minutes.
• Simple - There's no pre-treatment required. And you can have the procedure done any time during your cycle, even if you're bleeding. It can also be performed right in your doctor's office.
• Save and Effective - Approved by the FDA in 2001 with more that 15 years of clinical experience.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a disease that affects your reproductive organs and monthly menstrual cycle. It can cause cramps and pain during your periods or pelvic pain throughout the month. If you have this disease and it is not treated, your health can be affected. But, with early diagnosis and treatment, endometriosis can be managed.

Understanding Endometriosis

If you have endometriosis, endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus in the pelvic cavity. During your menstrual cycle, this extra tissue swells with blood along with the normal tissue in your uterus. The tissue may also release tiny drops of blood. The swelling and blood irritate nearby tissues, causing pain and cramps. Constant irritation may cause scar tissue to form. This scar tissue can bind organs together and cause trouble getting pregnant (infertility).

Common Symptoms

If you have endometriosis, you may have one or more of these symptoms:

• Cramps and menstrual pain
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Infertility. (Endometriosis is one of the most common causes of infertility.)
• Abnormal or heavy menstrual bleeding.

Stages of endometriosis

The stages of endometriosis are ranked as follows: Minimal (I), Mild (II), Moderate (III), or Severe (IV). Staging depends on certain factors. These include the number, size, and site of the implants. The stage also depends on the extent of the adhesions and whether other pelvic organs are involved. The severity of your disease may not match the pain you feel. Even mild endometriosis can cause a lot of pain.

Endometriosis can be treated with hormone therapy, surgery, or a combination of both. Talk to your health care provider to see which treatment is best for your condition

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy regulates or blocks the hormones that control your menstrual cycle. This means it can limit the swelling of your endometrium and extra endometrial tissue (implants). This treatment may be used before, instead of, or after surgery.

Surgery

Surgery can be used to remove implants of endometrial tissue or for removal of the reproductive organs.

• With laparoscopy a laparoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through a small incision in your abdomen. Your doctor uses the laparoscope and another small instrument to remove the implants.
• Surgical removal of the tissue may be required to relieve severe symptoms or to allow impregnation. Tissue may be destroyed by heat (electrocautery) or removed with lasers during laparoscopy (usually done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia).
• Laparotomy is open surgery to remove large implants that can't be reached with the laparoscope or when pelvic organs such as your bowel are involved.
• Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of your uterus. Any implants or adhesions in your pelvic cavity will also be removed.
• During a Total Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy procedure, your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes are removed. Any implants or adhesions in nearby tissue are also removed.

Surgical removal of the tissue or to have a hysterectomy can be done by the da Vinci system. Talk to Dr. Joe Santiago to see what is the best treatment for you.

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci® System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.