Ablation: Burning Her Uterus The New Medical Disaster
It's a common complaint in women's health: heavy bleeding. Women have been contending with this nuisance for thousands of years. However, most women don't know all of their options for reducing uterine bleeding. The majority of women are not being educated by their doctors about natural, non-invasive treatment options. Instead, they more often than not suggest a uterine ablation. From what most patients report, the conversation is very casual. It starts with the doctor or nurse asking about her flow and if it is excessive. If they say yes, and they feel they are finished having children it's highly recommended. It's described to them as easy, painless, usually covered mostly by insurance and they can go back to work the next day. Some even tell their patients it could help with their PMS or PMDD but the evidence supporting this suggestion is hard to find.
One such study of showed significant improvement with PMS but shockingly, the study was funded by a grant by the company Hologic that makes the machine that burns the endometrial lining of women's uteri called "Novasure." That makes this study suspect of shady intentions that could affect the outcome. Additionally, the study only included 36 women. That doesn't represent a very fair analysis of our female population whatsoever.
In comparison, there is a study
The role of treatment timing and mode of stimulation in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea with acupuncture: An exploratory randomized controlled trial
Mike Armour ,
Hannah G. Dahlen,
Xiaoshu Zhu,
Cindy Farquhar,
Caroline A. Smith
Public Library of Science
Published: July 12, 2017 that prove acupuncture can reduce menstrual pain by 50%. That would be enough to thwart the need for a uterine ablation for many women, yet no one is being told their options for treatment. Additionally, this study was funded appropriately and was twice as large. Funding: This study was funded in part by the Australian federal government via their Australian postgraduate award to MA. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
In the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology , a respected medical journal, they clearly show acupuncture as a viable option yet, why are so few OBGYN's educating their patients about their options before offering an irreversible option that could make endometrial cancer difficult if not impossible to detect? Most patients are not told that there is a risk of reduced sensation when having an orgasm. Many don't think they will never have pain free intercourse and even more yet are not told the exponential increase in the likelihood that they will need to have a hysterectomy in five years. Each year after the risk of needing a hysterectomy skyrockets each year thereafter. Is it true that some women find this procedure to be a god-send? Yes, at least so far.
Are there serious complications from endometrial ablation? You bet. Are they being talked about in office, not often enough. PubMed has published some interesting studies: Long term complications, effects of undiagnosed deep adenomyosis, risk factors of pain and possible hysterectomy, and post uterine ablation it's hard to diagnose endometrial cancer.
Before you even considering burning the lining of your uterus permanently you really want to do your due diligence and ask the hard questions: are you ok with having less potent orgasms? Are you comfortable with having a hysterectomy and needing hormone therapy? Does the risk of endometrial cancer outweigh the challenge of having a heavy flow for several days? Is your blood loss resulting in the need for blood transfusions or do you just have to use the restroom more often? Have you tried using a larger tampon? Have you gone to an acupuncturist and herbalist? Ask the hard questions. Talk with your husband or partner. Is it really worth the risk of chronic pain, additional surgeries that can lead to more surgeries to address your bladder dropping. This is a very serious decision, where all options that are less invasive should be tried first.
Eagle Acupuncture is the premier acupuncture and herbal medicine center in Idaho offering herbal medicine consults to anyone in the U.S.. The husband and wife are sought out experts who have been referred patients by Dr. Oz. They have been interviewed by: Dr. Oz & Good Morning America Producers, USA Today, MSNBC, Woman’s Day, Parenting, Shape, Natural Health, and Parents Magazines. They have been medical experts in: San Diego Union Tribune, Chicago Tribune, Eagle & HERLIFE Magazines, Idaho Statesman and The Independent, Mix 106 radio & KTVB TV.
Kristen Burris, L.Ac. Ms. Burris was featured as the Covergirl of HERLIFE magazine, won Business Woman of the Year NAWBO, Business Person of the Year Eagle Chamber, and voted Top Doc in her city, twice. She is an internationally recognized practitioner in the field of women’s health and anti-aging treating: infertility, menopause, irregular menstrual cycles, pregnancy issues, post-partum, Epstein Barr Virus EBV, LYME recovery, chronic fatigue CFS/ME, depression, anxiety, & pain. Ms. Burris is also an expert in difficult skin conditions and acupuncture facelift. Ms. Burris taught graduate school at her alma mater Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Ms. Burris has treated patients at San Diego Hospice, University of California San Diego Integrative Clinic, UCSD Dental Acupuncture Study, and at the leading fertility centers in San Diego. Patients fondly refer to her as the “Baby Maker” for her unprecedented over 500 fertility successes in extremely difficult infertility cases with patients locally and those who consult long distance throughout the U.S..
Tony Burris, L.Ac. is an expert in the application of natural sports medicine treating pain, injury and enhancing athletic performance. Mr. Burris is the team acupuncturist for the Treasure Valley Roller Girls. Mr. Burris helps athletes, weekend warriors and the elderly manage their pain and improve performance with the use of acupuncture and plant medicine. His patients include NFL and Major League Baseball players, Extreme Bull Riders, Olympic medalist, ultimate fighters and high school athletes. Mr. Burris also treats pain manifesting from internal problems including: allergies, migraines, headaches, arthritis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel and male infertility. He was featured on Fox News in 2011. Tony was a guest speaker at the UC-San Diego School of Medicine and provided acupuncture to the athletes at UCSD’s prestigious RIMAC Sports Center. Tony is a 15-year practitioner of the traditional Chinese healing, martial and spiritual arts.