Office Endometrial Ablation

Relief From Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

Overview

Her Option® (Office Endometrial Ablation) was designed with your comfort in mind. It is a comfortable treatment for menorrhagia because:

Sub-zero temperatures provide a natural anesthetic.
IV sedation is not required.
It is offered in the familiar surroundings of Dr. Huertas' office.
It does not require painful enlargement of your uterus.
The procedure is very safe and easy for Dr. Huertas to perform

How it Works

Her Option® (Office Endometrial Ablation) is a safe and effective ablation procedure. It uses sub-zero temperatures (cryoablation) to reduce or eliminate excessive menstrual periods. The cold temperatures destroy the endometrium (your uterine lining), which is responsible for menstrual bleeding. When the endometrium is eliminated, there is less tissue to shed each period, and therefore, dramatically less or no menstrual bleeding.

If you are unfamiliar with cryoablation, it may be comforting to know that it has been used for years in the treatment of uterine fibroids, prostate and liver cancer. Cryoablation has many dermatologic and gynecologic applications, and gynecologists are very familiar with it.

Other endometrial ablation processes use energy or heat to eliminate uterine lining. Unfortunately, heat ablation (also called thermal ablation) more often causes scarring that can make possible future cancer detection difficult. In addition, heat-based ablation often requires general anesthesia or IV sedation, expansion of the uterine cavity and dilation of the cervix.

If you are pre-menopausal, past childbearing and if your excessive uterine bleeding is due to benign causes, Her Option (Office Endometrial Ablation) may be the right option for you. Her Option (Office Endometrial Ablation) is so effective that at two years post-treatment, 91 percent of patients were very or extremely satisfied with treatment results.¹

1. Townsend DE, Duleba AJ, Wilkes MM. Durability of treatment effects after endometrial cryoablation versus rollerball electroablation for abnormal uterine bleeding: two-year results of a multicenter randomized trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol Mar. 2003 v. 188(3) p.699-701.

The Procedure

Not only is Her Option® (Office Endometrial Ablation) safe and effective, it is the only endometrial ablation process available in the comfort of Dr. Huertas' office rather than a hospital or surgical center.

After Dr. Huertas has administered a local anesthesia, a slim probe is inserted vaginally through the cervix and into the uterus. The probe is so slender that it requires little to no cervical dilation. Once in place, the cooling process begins, and the probe freezes tissue symmetrically around its tip. After several minutes, Dr. Huertas will warm the endometrium for one to two minutes and then repeat the freezing. After a brief warming cycle, the procedure will be finished.

Her Option therapy (Office Endometrial Ablation) generally takes about 20 minutes. Most women do not experience pain during the procedure. You may, however, feel mild pressure or a cramping sensation (similar to menstrual cramps). Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication and/or analgesic taken before the procedure can help reduce any discomfort.

Following the procedure, you will rest under supervised care for one to two hours. After resting at home, you may be able to resume normal activities the next day.

Results

Her Option® (Office Endometrial Ablation) is so effective in reducing or eliminating excessive periods that:

At 24 months, 91% of patients were very or extremely satisfied with treatment results.¹
A full 96% of patients would recommend Her Option to a friend.

Is it Right for You?

Her Option® (Office Endometrial Ablation) is not recommended for everyone. You will need to be evaluated by Dr. Huertas to find out if it is right for you.

If you intend to become pregnant, you would not be a candidate for Her Option (Office Endometrial Ablation) because the procedure destroys the endometrial lining that must be intact during a normal pregnancy. Her Option (Office Endometrial Ablation) also is not recommended for patients with uterine cancer, an active urinary tract infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, an IUD or some types of uterine abnormality.

Insurance

Her Option® therapy (Office Endometrial Ablation) from Dr. Huertas is generally covered by health insurance, as are other endometrial ablation procedures. However, since insurance coverage constantly changes and is different with most insurance companies and policies, it is best to check your policy or talk to your insurance agent to ensure this procedure is covered. Dr. Huertas' staff is willing to help you determine if this is covered under your specific policy. Generally, Medicare also covers the Her Option procedure.

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If you would like more information about Office Endometrial Ablation or the other services offered by Dr. Huertas, please contact his office at 972-279-9000 and his capable staff will guide you through the process. Even better, for more personalized information specific to your individual needs, contact us or call today to schedule a consultation.

The Dallas Center for Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation
Otoniel Huertas, MD
2540 N Galloway Ave.
Bldg 3, Suite 304
Mesquite, TX 75150
972-279-9000
Contact us or call to schedule your personal consultation.