What are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are masses of tissue growths within the uterus (womb). Another medical term for a fibroid is “leiomyoma” or just “myoma.” Fibroids are almost always benign (not cancerous).
Doctors often describe fibroids based on their location:
•Submucosal fibroids are located inside the uterine cavity
•Intramural fibroids are in the uterine wall
•Subserosal fibroids grow on the outside wall of the uterus
•Pedunculated fibroids can grow inside or outside of the uterus and are attached to the uterus by a base or stalk
What are the Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids?
Abnormal uterine bleeding may include:
Heavy menstrual periods, spotting between menses, or painful and or prolonged menstrual periods.
Other symptoms may include:
•Pressure in the pelvic area
•Fullness or pressure in their belly
•Low back pain
•Pain during sex
•An urge to urinate often
•Infertility
What Are Endometrial Polyps?
Endometrial polyps are tissue growths extending from the inner lining of the uterus called the endometrium.
What are the Symptoms of Endometrial Polyps?
Irregular, frequent, unpredictable periods.
Bleeding between menstrual periods
Heavy menstrual periods
Vaginal bleeding after menopause
Infertility
Uterine fibroids and polyps can make getting pregnant difficult for some women.
Myomectomy is a term that means—the surgical removal of common benign uterine fibroids.
What are your surgical options?
OPEN SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Open surgical procedures use a larger incision in the abdomen to remove large or many fibroids that have grown deep into or outside the uterine wall.
1-4 days of hospitalization and 4 to 6 weeks of recovery.
LAPAROSCOPY
Laparoscopy uses a lighted viewing instrument and one or more small cuts (incisions) in the abdomen is usual for removing fibroids, up to about 2 in. (5.1 cm) across, that are growing on the outside of the uterus.
1 day hospitalization and 1 to 2 weeks of recovery.
HYSTEROSCOPY
Hysteroscopy involves inserting a lighted viewing instrument through the vagina and cervix into the uterus to remove fibroids on the inner wall of the uterus.
Office, outpatient, or hospital procedure, requiring no hospitalization and only a few days of recovery.
How the Aveta® System Works:
The Aveta® System removes uterine fibroids, polyps and/or Retained Products of Conception (RPOC) from the uterus with a minimally invasive hysteroscopic approach with no incisions. This simple and quick procedure will have you back on your feet and enjoying your daily life activities within a few days. Hysteroscopic procedures are the preferred polyp and/or fibroid treatment for women who may want to still become pregnant.
The Aveta® procedure:
STEP ONE
During the procedure your doctor will gently insert a camera-like device, called a hysteroscope through your cervix (the opening of the uterus) into your uterine cavity.
STEP TWO
Your doctor will insert a slender tissue removal device through the small channel of the hysteroscope into your uterine cavity. This slender device will gently and safely remove the growths (submucosal fibroids and endometrial polyps).
STEP THREE
When the procedure is done, your doctor will remove the slender device from your body.
Sources:
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/basics/causes/con-20034770
3. Hysteroscopy. Mosby’s Medical Dictionary. Ed. Tanya Myers. 8th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, 2009. 927-28. Print
4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2008, reaffirmed 2012). Alternatives to hysterectomy in the management of leiomyomas. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 96. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 112(2, Part 1): 387–399.
5. Parker WH (2012). Uterine fibroids. In JS Berek, ed., Berek and Novak’s Gynecology, 15th ed., pp. 438–469. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
6. Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Society of Reproductive Surgeons (2008). Myomas and reproductive function. Fertility and Sterility, 90(3): S125–S130.
