Practice Code: EIBADD
Uterine fibroids are muscular tumors that form in or on the uterine wall. Nearly all fibroids are benign (noncancerous) — in fact, the National Institutes of Health says fibroids are the most common benign tumor in women of childbearing age.
While hysterectomy is the only way to completely eliminate fibroids, at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta and Alpharetta, our team offers an alternative therapy called Acessa® that helps shrink fibroids and reduce or eliminate their symptoms.
If you have uterine fibroids, here’s what you should know about this state-of-the-art treatment.
Uterine fibroids are extremely common. How common? Data suggest as many as 80% of women will have at least one uterine fibroid by the time they reach age 50.
Also called leiomyomas, uterine fibroids can range from about the size of a pea to larger than a tennis ball. The number of fibroids a woman can have ranges, too, from a single fibroid to many. Some fibroids occur in groups or clusters.
While smaller fibroids may cause no symptoms at all, multiple fibroids cause menstrual irregularities, including heavy bleeding. Larger fibroids can cause a sensation of fullness or heaviness in your pelvis, or severe cramping during periods. Symptoms depend on the size, location, and number of fibroids you have.
Fibroid activity is related to estrogen production, which is why they form during the reproductive years and tend to shrink or go away entirely during menopause. Until then, some women find relief with hormone treatments, but this approach is sometimes inadequate at managing symptoms.
Acessa doesn’t remove fibroids; instead, it uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to target the fibroids and shrink them. A minimally invasive technique, Acessa can help relieve uterine fibroid symptoms without resorting to hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).
The procedure is performed using general anesthesia, so you sleep through your treatment. Acessa uses a laparoscope, a thin, flexible instrument inserted through a tiny incision in your abdomen. The scope is equipped with a camera that allows your surgeon to view the area and perform the surgery with precision and accuracy.
During treatment, your doctor inserts a very thin needle into the fibroid tissue. This needle delivers bursts of RF energy to the fibroid, destroying the tissue and triggering reactions that cause the fibroid to shrink. The entire procedure takes about two hours, depending on the number and size of fibroids being treated.
Following your procedure, you go to a recovery room before being discharged the same day. You may have cramping, similar to period cramps, that you can manage with over-the-counter medicine. Light bleeding or vaginal discharge is also common for a week or so.
While most women can get back to light activity in about a week, it’s important to avoid any type of strenuous activity, such as working out or heavy lifting, for the first few days after your procedure. Over the next few weeks, you’ll see your fibroid-related symptoms diminish as the fibroid tissues continue to shrink.
Uterine fibroids may not be life-threatening, but they can definitely cause uncomfortable, unpleasant symptoms, including heavy bleeding that could lead to anemia.
To learn more about Acessa and how it can help relieve your fibroid symptoms, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology today.
