Innovative Treatment That Can End Heavy Period Misery For One In Five Women In The Region, Offered By Nuffield Hospital Haywards Heath, UK

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 11 Apr 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Nuffield Hospital Haywards Heath has announced the introduction of the NovaSure® Endometrial Ablation System, an advanced next-generation technology for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding, to significantly lighten or even stop periods. This new procedure is transforming treatment for one of the most common conditions affecting women in the UK and now offers patients in West Sussex, who have completed their families, an alternative to major surgery.

The NovaSure System uses precisely measured radio frequency energy to permanently remove the uterine lining that produces menstrual bleeding. It takes just minutes to carry out the NovaSure procedure, which can be performed in outpatients under local anaesthetic or day surgery under general anaesthetic. This fast, easy, convenient and cost-effective solution is changing women's lives. Patients are typically fit to continue their normal routine within days of undergoing the procedure.

It is estimated that one in five women in the UK suffer from this debilitating condition, which often causes chronic fatigue and anaemia, affecting women's personal and professional lives and restricting their every day activities. Most women do not seek professional medical advice or treatment and suffer in silence, believing that excessive menstrual bleeding is something to 'put up with', unaware that they can now be successfully treated without long-term hormone use or the need to undergo major surgery.

The Nuffield Hospital Haywards Heath began offering this procedure last November and the very first patient was Consultant Gynaecologist, Mr Greg Kalu's private secretary, Sarah. Sarah had thought that her only solution would be to have a hysterectomy, so was delighted to learn that, after consultation with Mr Kalu, there were other suitable treatment options available to her and she elected for the NovaSure® procedure.

Sarah says, "This has made such a difference to my life. I feel like a new woman! I want to tell other women about NovaSure and urge them to seek help and advice if they are suffering with heavy periods as I did."

Mr Kalu, who pioneered the NovaSure procedure at Nuffield Hospital Haywards Heath and is principal lead clinician for women's health at BSUH says, "we are delighted to be able to offer this procedure. My ethos is to offer patients minimally invasive procedures and I believe the NovaSure® treatment admirably fits the bill and will be of real benefit to women in Sussex."

Today, physicians have safe, effective and fast alternatives for women who have completed their families. The introduction of treatments, such as the NovaSure® endometrial ablation procedure at the Hospital, ensures the commitment to provide state-of-the-art technology for ultimate patient care in the region.

If you would like to find out more about the NovaSure® Endometrial Ablation System please call 01293 522080 or visit the website: www.novasure.com. Follow the link for 'Find A Physician' in your area

Nuffield Hospital Haywards Heath

The Princess Royal Hospital, West Sussex

Notes

- According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, one in 20 women between the ages of 30 and 50 years in the UK visit their GP because of concerns over heavy menstrual periods.

- Around 60% of these women have a hysterectomy within five years - and one in five will have a hysterectomy before the age of 60.

- Nationally, nearly 50,000 women a year have a hysterectomy, of which almost 40% are due to heavy periods.

- Menorrhagia - or heavy periods - is the most common reason for consulting a gynaecologist, accounting for 15% of all gynaecological problems in the UK

- Until recently, hysterectomy was the mainstay of treatment, however many women are now demanding less invasive treatments to major surgery.

Nuffield Hospital Haywards Heath