Local OB/Gyn breaks new ground in women's healthcare

Murphy, N.C., September 13, 2006 -Eric Scott Sills, MD of Murphy Women's Center recently performed Western, N.C.'s first in-office, non-surgical procedure to end the burden of heavy periods for several of his patients. The results are in, and patients couldn't be happier.

"Since I was a teenager, I suffered every month of my life. I thought my only option would be to have a complete hysterectomy," said Dana Free, 40, from Hayesville. "I am so happy that my bleeding and cramping could be reduced so much after such a simple and painless procedure."

In this country alone, more than 10 million women suffer from excessive menstrual bleeding or heavy periods, a condition known as menorrhagia. In fact, more than 20 percent of the 600,000 hysterectomies performed annually in the United States are done for this reason.

Are all of these hysterectomies necessary? According to Dr. Sills, the answer is "probably not."

"Heavy periods, month after month, can significantly impact a women's quality of life," said Dr. Sills. "Many women think that hysterectomy is their only option to treat the

problem, but uterine balloon therapy has proven to be a safe and effective way to reduce the burden of heavy periods without having to step foot in an operating room."

Uterine balloon therapy is an option for pre-menopausal women who have completed childbearing. It can be performed in less than 30 minutes in a physician's office using a local anesthetic.

During the treatment a balloon catheter is inserted into the uterus and inflated with a small amount of sterile fluid that is heated in order to break down the uterine lining. When the treatment cycle is completed,

all the fluid is withdrawn from the balloon and the catheter is removed. Nothing stays in the uterus. The uterine lining has been treated and will slough off like a period in the next seven to 10 days.

According to Dr. Sills, uterine balloon therapy has been available in the United States since 1998 and has been used to treat more than 400,000 women worldwide. "I consider it an honor to be the first physician to bring in-office uterine balloon therapy to Western, N.C.," said Dr. Sills. "Based on the results we have seen, this type of treatment will help many women avoid surgery and hospitalization."

In most women, the treatment will reduce menstrual bleeding to a moderate or light flow. Some women may experience spotting, while other women may stop bleeding altogether. Clinical data also shows 78 percent of the women evaluated three years after treatment are free from significant menstrual pain and cramping.

"On a scale of one to ten, I would say that my pain level went from a 'ten' before treatment to a 'one' after treatment," said Ms. Free. "I never expected to feel this much better. My new pain-free life has even inspired me to quit smoking."