Blog of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research
A new report indicates that surgery for endometriosis performed by a robot is less effective than the same procedure performed by a surgeon. The mechanically assisted procedure also took longer to complete. Performing this surgery the traditional way can also help keep hospital costs down.
England’s Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening (ACCS) has developed new guidelines [pdf] for screening cervical cancer in young women who experience symptoms such as bleeding after sex or between periods, pain during sex or an unusual discharge. Screening for cervical cancer normally begins at age 25 in England, as it is rare in young women. The new guidelines were developed after the ACCS discovered that young women seeking medical consultations for abnormal bleeding often experience delays in diagnosis because they do not receive a full pelvic examination.
Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal reports a new surgical technique for relief of uterine fibroids is currently being tested at six medical centers in the U.S., along with two in Mexico and one in Guatemala. Presently, the only sure cure is hysterectomy, because fibroids sometimes grow back when suppressed with drugs or removed individually.
Fibroids are benign growths in the uterus that are estimated to occur in as many as 70% of women. Fibroids are often asymptomatic; many women don’t even know they have them. But fibroids can become large and painful, and can cause heavy menstrual bleeding. Sometimes they can grow large enough to interfere with other organs.
The new technique under investigation is called radiofrequency ablation. The procedure involves three small incisions: one for the laproscopic camera so the surgeon can see inside the abdomen, a second for an intra-abdominal utrasound probe to determine the size and location of fibroids, and a third for the Halt device, a needle electrode that penetrates the fibroid and burns the cells, which are eventually reabsorbed by the body. The device also cauterizes the incision to minimize bleeding.
In early tests outside the U.S. with 70 women, 90% were satisfied with the results. It is unknown whether fibroids destroyed with this technique will grow back.
One of the reviewers for the forthcoming edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves, who blogs anonymously at Mom’s Tinfoil Hat, is seeking contributions for the chapter she is reviewing.
I am busy reviewing and contributing to the second chapter of Our Bodies, Ourselves that was assigned to me. It is called “Unique to Women” and is about screening tests and medical procedures. I am trying to get through the technical side of writing this: checking on new screening guidelines, new screening tools, and such scientific type things. But, I really want to take into account the needs and points of view of many women, including disabled women, women of color, women from different cultural and religious backgrounds, women who are trans, men who are trans, women who are survivors of sexual abuse and/or assault, women who work in the sex industry, women who are polyamorous, women who are gay, women with piercings and tattoos, women of size, etc.
Her deadline is New Year’s Eve, so please contact her ASAP if you can contribute.
