But first, my health Abnormal uterine bleeding is More Common Than You Think
Dr. S Krishnakumar, Advance Laparoscopy / hysteroscopy Surgeon, J K Women's Hospital, Mumbai.
Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common yet often overlooked issue among women of reproductive age. It includes any unusual menstrual bleeding—heavier, longer, or more frequent than normal.
Affecting up to 17.09%
[1]
of Indian women, AUB can lead to significant physical, emotional, and lifestyle challenges. 'But First, My Health' aims to raise awareness, provide clear information on conditions like fibroids and polyps, and empower women to seek timely medical help.
Why Does AUB Happen?
The causes of AUB are varied, but apart from hormonal imbalance, two of the most frequent reasons are
uterine polyps
and
uterine submucosal fibroids
. Over 45%
[2]
of women with AUB may have uterine polyp and 38%
[3]
of women AUB may have uterine fibroid.
Despite being treatable, these pathologies often remain unaddressed. Many women delay seeking medical help due to lack of awareness, fear of invasive procedures, or the belief that heavy or painful periods are something they simply have to live with or inappropriate intervention like Dilatation & Curettage (a procedure which involves dilation of cervix and scraping/suctioning a part of uterine lining. Unfortunately, this delay in diagnosis and appropriate treatment can lead to the need for more
radical treatments
, such as
hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus)
, which can be avoided in many cases.
Timely Intervention Can Make All the Difference
The good news is that
early diagnosis and timely medical intervention
can dramatically increase the options in terms of treatment modalities. In many cases, symptoms can be effectively managed with
medications or minimally invasive procedures
.
One of the effective tools available for both diagnosing and treating intrauterine causes of AUB is
hysteroscopy
. This is a simple, incisionless procedure where a thin telescope-like device under camera control is inserted through the cervix into the uterus, allowing the doctor to directly visualize the uterine cavity. Hysteroscopy enables
targeted diagnosis and treatment
of abnormalities such as polyps and submucosal fibroids, often in a single session.
What makes hysteroscopy even more beneficial is that it can be performed in an
outpatient setting
, frequently
without the need for general anesthesia
. This reduces recovery time, minimizes discomfort, and allows women to return to their normal routine much faster than with traditional surgery.
Modern Technology in Women's Health: Mechanical Hysteroscopic Tissue Removal
Hysteroscopy is considered the
gold standard
for managing many intrauterine conditions. One such advancement is the
Mechanical Hysteroscopic Tissue Removal (mHTR) system
. Unlike conventional methods that rely on electrical energy, the mHTR system uses
mechanical energy
to gently remove the tissue.
It is particularly suitable for women looking to preserve their fertility and avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.
"But First, My Health"
. This program urges women to
prioritize their well-being
, understand that menstrual irregularities are not something to be ignored, and encourages them to seek appropriate medical consultation and explore
less invasive treatment options
.
Women deserve to live without the burden of undiagnosed or untreated AUB.
With modern solutions like hysteroscopy and mHTR, effective and gentle treatment is not only possible—it's simple and accessible.
To know more about this campaign and to understand your symptoms, visit
www.medtronic.com/in-en/c/but-first-my-health.html
Reference:
Sharma A, Dogra Y. Trends of AUB in tertiary centre of Shimla hills. J Midlife Health. 2013 Jan;4(1):67-8. doi: 10.4103/0976-7800.109648. PMID: 23833543; PMCID: PMC3702075.
Kanthi JM, Remadevi C, Sumathy S, Sharma D, Sreedhar S, Jose A. Clinical Study of Endometrial Polyp and Role of Diagnostic Hysteroscopy and Blind Avulsion of Polyp. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Jun;10(6):QC01-4. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/18173.7983. Epub 2016 Jun 1. PMID: 27504357; PMCID: PMC4963717.
Ngorili GS, Yadav BB, Takalkar AA. Epidemiological study of uterine fibroids: our experience from urban Maharashtra. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2022;11:2101-5.
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