Dr. Murray Fox, a Plano gynecologist, and Dr. Daryl Greebon, a Plano OBGYN, of Women’s Specialists of Plano have joined the Faith in Practice medical mission team currently in Guatemala. Dr. Fox and Dr. Greebon are medical mission veterans and find the experience incredibly rewarding. Dr. Murray Fox and Dr. Daryl Greebon will volunteer their surgical expertise to poor Guatemalan women in need of gynecologic surgery. The surgeries they perform will include removal of uterine fibroids, hysterectomy and vaginal reconstruction.

Faith in Practice’s mission is to improve the physical, spiritual, and economic conditions of Guatemalan’s poor through short-term surgical, medical and dental mission trips and health-related educational programs

The large FIP team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, administrators, clergy, translators, oral surgeons, dental hygienists, and a photojournalist will travel to Reutealeahu, Guatemala from February 26, 2010 through March 7, 2010. The team will provide short-term surgical, medical and dental care. Prior to the mission, the team gathers all the supplies that will be required for performing surgery and post-operative care. Each team member typically brings 2 trunks of medical supplies. In total, 86 trunks arrived in Guatemala for this mission.

At the beginning of the trip, the FIP team will assess all surgery candidates and prepare a surgical schedule. The remainder of the week will be spent in surgery and providing after care.

To follow Dr. Fox and Dr. Greebon while they are on their medical mission, a Facebook Fan Page has been set up, Faith In Practice-Greebon Team 244.

The physicians at Women’s Specialists of Plano, 972-379-2416, are among the more experienced gynecologic robotic surgeons in the Plano, Texas area. Several of the doctors at Women’s Specialists underwent additional training on the da Vinci robotic surgery system and have since performed hundreds of minimally invasive robot-assisted procedures such hysterectomy and mymoectomy.

Medpage Today, an online medical news site, published an article titled, “Robotic Surgery Benefits Seen for Hysterectomy.” The article highlights recent findings that robot-assisted hysterectomy may in fact be a safer surgical option for patients with a large uterus and underlying medical conditions. Historically, robotic surgery was seen as optimal for a patient with an average sized uterus and normal pathology. Patients with a large uterus and more complex pathology were seen as better candidates for a traditional hysterectomy.

A recent review of five community practices through the country found robotic surgery, specifically robot-assisted hysterectomy, can produce favorable outcomes for more complex cases. It was shown that robotic surgery could be associated with fewer complications and less blood loss compared to traditional open-abdomen hysterectomy.

The da Vinci robotic surgery allows 3D images of the pelvis and mirrors the precise hand and wrist movements of the surgeon while eliminating the possibility of slight hand tremors.

If you are interested in learning more about robot-assisted hysterectomy, please contact Women’s Specialists of Plano in Plano, Texas. Their modern office is conveniently located near the Medical Center of Plano. You can schedule an appointment by calling 972-379-2416 or by visiting their online appointment center.

Article source: Medpage Today

Women need to make their health a priority and take care of themselves, especially during the busy holiday season.  It is so easy to put off exercise, eating well and making time for yourself when there are so many other things to do and people/family to take care.  There is no denying the link between women’s health and lifestyle.  It is vital to a woman’s health that her well-being be put at the top of the season’s “to-do” list. During this hectic time of year,  be sure to make time for exercise, getting plenty of sleep, eating a balanced diet and general down-time.

Dr. Daryl Greebon, Plano Gynecologist at WSOP, is a source for the article “Putting Self First is Vital to Good Health as Mom, Wife”.

Article Source: News OK

Jules Monier, MD of Women’s Specialists of Plano was interviewed for the below article originally published in Articlesbase on September 2.

Endometrial Ablation: The Simple Way to End Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia) Without a Hysterectomy

Author: Kristy Theis

Dr. Jules Monier performs endometrial ablation in Plano, TX

If you are a woman who dreads her monthly menstrual cycle because of a relentless, long and heavy flow, you are not alone. In fact, more than 1 in 5 women experience a persistent and abnormal menstrual flow every month, a condition known as menorrhagia.

Is My Period Normal?
Each month, as a woman’s body prepares itself for a possible pregnancy, the hormone levels estrogen and progesterone rise thus thickening the uterine lining in order to protect the egg released by the ovaries. If fertilization does not occur, a woman will shed this lining which will be visible as blood indicating the start of her period.

As the time nears for a woman to have her period, those suffering from menorrhagia will dread the days leading to the very first sign of blood that will eventually appear. A normal period is usually marked with less than 10 tablespoons of blood lost and a manageable flow for up to 4-7 days. When a woman has a consistently long and heavy period every month—severe enough to cause nausea, fatigue, moodiness, or a complete interruption of daily life, it might be time to check into a menorrhagia treatment in order to resolve the problem.

Curing Heavy Periods
Endometrial ablation is one such menorrhagia treatment procedure that can radically improve the symptoms associated with a prolonged and unrelenting menstrual flow. During the procedure, the endometrial lining is removed either by using freezing temperatures or a heated fluid. The removal of the lining, in essence, prevents the flow of blood to occur.

According to Dr. Jules Monier, a Gynecologist in Plano, Texas, “Endometrial ablation has been around in some form for more than 20 years. The procedure has been perfected and now an unprecedented number of women can enjoy normal menstrual cycles with a much lighter flow accompied by the usual, mild symptoms associated with having an average period.”

The NovaSure® method, an approved endometrial ablation procedure designed specifically as a menorrhagia treatment option over more drastic procedures such as a hysterectomy, uses radio frequency energy to permanently remove the lining of the uterus, which reduces, or eliminates, future bleeding. The procedure, which is carried out under local anesthesia, usually takes under an hour to complete and is typically performed either in the office on an out-patient basis or in a hospital as a day surgery procedure.

Dr. Jules Monier performs the procedure in his Plano, Texas office on a routine basis and consistently receives satisfactory feedback from the patients who have opted to have the treatment. “More than half of my patients experience a total absence of a period after the procedure is performed. Most others see a significant improvement in their menstrual flow and the symptoms that follow. I like to refer to the procedure as it’s like having a hysterectomy without having a hysterectomy.”

For the women that have visited this Plano, Texas office and the thousands of others who have undergone the NovaSure® procedure, 97% say they would recommend the treatment to their friends.

Who is the right candidate for this procedure?
Although the chances for pregnancy reduce greatly after the NovaSure® endometrial ablation procedure has been performed, it is still possible to become pregnant. Any woman who has completed child-bearing or who is menopausal can be a candidate for the treatment. Prior to performing the NovaSure® method, your gynecologist will do a sonogram and in some cases, an endometrial biopsy to ensure there is not another underlying condition present. Light cramping and bleeding may occur in the days or weeks following the procedure but will then disappear allowing the majority of women to enjoy either a normal or an absent menstrual flow.

To learn more about what may be causing you to have a consistently heavy period and to look at the treatments that are available, such as the NovaSure® method, be sure to discuss all of your options with your gynecologist.

About the Author:

Dr. Jules Monier was interviewed for this article and has been practicing gynecology in the Plano, Texas area for 25 years. He is currently in practice with Women’s Specialists of Plano. http://www.obgynplano.com/

Kristy Theis is a Plano, Texas-based communications freelance writer specializing in b2b, consumer and vertical trade copy suitable for both print and Internet. She has over 14 years experience in the fields of marketing, PR and copywriting and currently serves as the content editor for emedicalmedia.com.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Endometrial Ablation: The Simple Way to End Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia) Without a Hysterectomy

Bone and Calcium Metabolism: Prevention of Osteoporosis

Author: Dr Murray Fox

Bone metabolism in the human body is a very dynamic process. There is a constant lying down of bone by cells called oste

oblasts and resorbtion of bone by cells called osteoclasts. Initially the osteoblasts work much harder and faster that the osteoclasts and bone is laid down to facilitate growth.

Each person has a genetically determined peak bone mass which is attained in their twenties. By age 17 ninety percent of the bone mass has been obtained. The consequence of bone loss is the development of very weak and fragile bones, a medical condition known as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is associated with compression fracture of the bones of the spine called vertebra(ae) and fracture of the hip. While these fractures from osteoporosis may be painful and cause shortening of

stature, even difficulty breathing, the major consequence is complications and even death from surgical repair of the hip fracture.

Calcium and Vitamin D Play a Critical Role

Adequate calcium, exercise and vitamin D are required to attain and maintain bone mass. This is important in the prevention of osteoporosis. Current data indicates that the majority of children do not receive adequate amounts of calcium or vitamin D.
Recommended amount of calcium vary for individuals.

Below is a table of adequate intakes as outlined by the National Academy of Science.

Recommended Calcium Intakes

Ages Amount mg/day
Birth–6 months 210
6 months–1 year 270
1–3 500
4–8 800
9–13 1300
14–18 1300
19–30 1000
31–50 1000
51–70 1200
70 or older 1200
Pregnant & Lactating 1000
14–18 1300
19–50 1000

Role of Vitamin D

Vitamin D also plays an important role in healthy bone development. Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium (this is why milk is fortified with vitamin D). In the past many people depended on the sun’s effect on the skin to make vitamin D. Since more emphasis has been place on sunscreen, there is less sun effect and a greater need for vitamin D supplement. The exact amount of vitamin D required is being debated, but the consensus is that Americans are generally deficient in vitamin D and require greater amounts than originally thought. 800 international units to 1000 international units is the current recommendation for adults.

Certain medical conditions may limit the amount of calcium that may be ingested. As always, consulting your physician is suggested regarding your personal specific calcium needs.

Exercise is Necessary to Maintain Bone Health

Weight bearing exercise (walking, running, etc.) is an excellent stimulus for bone growth. Current recommendations are:

Adults: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity [on] most, preferably all, days of the week

Children: Engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity [on] most, preferably all, days of the week

Bone Mineral Density

The evaluation of bone strength, the about of calcium in the bone, is measured by a dual density densitometer. The purpose of this is to measure the exact bone mineral density of the spinal vertebrae, usually the four lumbar (lower back) vertebrae, and the femur, the large thigh bone that connects to the pelvis in the hip socket.

The bone mineral density (BMD) is usually expressed as a “T” score which is a comparison of the patients BMD to a young person. A “T” score that is – 1 or higher is considered normal. A “T” score of – 2.5 or lower is considered osteoporosis. A “T” score between – 1 and – 2.5 is called osteopenia – a softening of the bone.
Bone mineral density testing should be recommended to all postmenopausal women aged 65 years or older. Bone mineral density testing may be recommended to postmenopausal women younger than 65 years who have 1 or more risk factors for osteoporosis (See Below). Bone mineral density testing should be performed on all postmenopausal women with fractures to confirm the diagnosis of osteoporosis and determine disease severity.

Risk Factors for Osteoporotic Fracture in Postmenopausal Women

• History of prior fracture
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Caucasian race
• Dementia
• Poor nutrition
• Smoking
• Low weight and body mass index
• Estrogen deficiency*
o Early menopause (age younger than 45 years) or bilateral oophorectomy
o Prolonged premenopausal amenorrhea (>1 year)
• Long-term low calcium intake
• Alcoholism
• Impaired eyesight despite adequate correction
• History of falls
• Inadequate physical activity

About the Author:

Dr. Murray Fox is a board certified gynecologist with Women’s Specialist of Plano. Dr. Fox has over 30 years of practice and expertise in his field. His special areas of interest include preventative medicine, pelvic floor abnormalities, adolescent gynecology, and robotic surgery. http://www.obgynplano.com/womens-doctors-physicians/dr-murray-fox-md/

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Bone and Calcium Metabolism: Prevention of Osteoporosis

Facts About Urinary Incontinence and Uterine Prolapse – The Solution

Author: Dr Daryl Greebon

In part one of this discussion, we discussed disorders referred to as pelvic floor disorders, or as disorders of pelvic support. These disorders include urinary stress incontinence (urinary leakage), uterine prolapse (dropped uterus), cystocele (dropped bladder), rectocele (bulging of the back wall of the vagina), enterocele (A form of internal hernia), and vaginal vault prolapse (dropped vagina after hysterectomy). We discussed some of the causes and the symptoms associated with pelvic floor disorders. In this portion of the discussion, I would like to discuss the potential solutions to these problems.

Treatment Options

For the most part, the treatment of all of these disorders is surgical. When uterine prolapse or urinary incontinence symptoms are mild, surgery is to be avoided if possible and conservative measures such as avoiding heavy lifting, managing fluid intake, and using stool softeners can help mitigate the symptoms and delay the need for surgery. Unfortunately, the physical stresses and activities of life almost always cause progression of these problems, so that most women who have these disorders eventually need surgery. For elderly women who are not sexually active and not good surgical candidates because of other medical problems, the use of a pessary (a plastic or rubber device that fits into the vagina to hold the uterus and bladder in better position) can be used. However these are not adequate for anyone who is sexually active, or has moderate physical activity.

We will now discuss the various procedures necessary to correct pelvic organ prolapse. Because there are often multiple problems (uterine prolapse, cystocele, rectocele) more than one procedure is often required.

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy – When there is uterine prolapse (dropped uterus), usually a vaginal hysterectomy is required. The tubes and ovaries can be removed vaginally as well for those postmenopausal women who need to have the ovaries out. Occasionally, vaginal repairs listed below may be done in association with and abdominal hysterectomy, or a daVinci robotic hysterectomy.

Tension Free Vaginal Tape

TVT – Tension Free Vaginal Tape. This is a procedure to repair the bladder neck. This does not take care of significant bulging of the vagina, but is all about control of urinary incontinence. Needles are passed either behind the pubic bone, or around the lateral pelvic bones and into the space between vaginal wall and bladder. A 1 cm. wide mesh tape is threaded through the needle and the needle is pulled out . In this way, the vaginal tape is anchored in place and lays without tension beneath the urethra so that when the woman coughs or sneezes the urethra is compressed against the mesh and the resulting fibrous tissue that is laid down around the mesh. This compression prevents urinary incontinence.

Anterior Repair

Anterior repair – (also medically known and anterior colporraphy). This is a repair of the anterior or front wall of the vagina beneath the bladder. This is done to correct the extensive bulging of a large cystocele. An incision is made in the vaginal wall, the vaginal tissue is then separated from the underlying bladder. In the older type of anterior repair, suture is used to pick up some bladder wall on one side, then on the other, and when this suture is tied, it pulls the tissue together and lifts and supports the bladder. Unfortunately, when women have weak connective tissue to begin with, the tissue which is used for support is often not as strong as we might like, and therefore, with conventional old-style anterior repairs, the failure rate is higher. To avoid this problem, newer procedures have been developed which use a mesh material, like a loose weave thin cloth, which can be placed beneath the bladder to provide support. In today’s world, these surgeries are often done with kits, which provide conveniently shaped pieces of mesh with “arms” of mesh material that can be passed thru tissue with a needle much like the TVT described above. The arms help anchor the mesh is place long term, and seem to give better long-term results. The primary problem with placing mesh material in the vagina is the possibility of erosion such that the vaginal tissues do not heal completely over the mesh graft, or the possibility of pain with intercourse if this mesh is used in women prior to menopause.

Posterior Repair

Posterior repair – (posterior colporrhaphy) This procedure is a repair of the back wall of the vagina over the rectum. The description of this procedure would be identical to the description above of an anterior repair. The vaginal wall is opened, the vaginal tissues are dissected off of the underlying rectum, and then either sutures are placed to obliterate the defect and provide support, or mesh materials are used as described above to provide better long-term support.

Vaginal Vault Suspension

Vaginal vault suspension – This is a procedure to lift or elevate the vaginal vault (top of the vagina after hysterectomy). Some doctors try to accomplish this simply by doing a good anterior and posterior repair. If there is significant vault prolapse, I do not believe that this is adequate to prevent recurrence. There are however, additional procedures that can be done, some vaginally and some abdominally to support the top of the vagina when necessary. Sometimes the top of the vagina is anchored with sutures to the sacrospinous ligament, or high up on the uterosacral ligament. These are both strong structures which can give a better chance of long-term support, and both of these can be done vaginally. Each procedure has its relative strengths and weaknesses.

Abdominal Sacrocolpopexy

Traditionally the “gold standard” procedure for repair of vaginal vault prolapse is the Abdominal Sacrocolpopexy. This requires an abdominal incision, and the 4 – 6 week recovery attendant with an abdominal incision. This procedure uses a 3cm. piece of mesh material sewn to the top of the vagina with multiple stiches. The other end of the mesh is attached to the sacrum internally. Fortunately, today this procedure can usually, though not always be done as a daVinci robotic sacrocolpopexy. Using robotic surgery, it is possible to attach mesh both to the top of the vagina, and to the sacrum using laparoscopic techniques. This means less pain, quicker recovery, and easier return to work than the traditional open operation, and still gives the “gold standard” result.

Discuss Your Options with Your Doctor

There obviously are nuances about when these procedures should be applied and in what combination. Results with many of these procedures are directly dependent on the surgeon’s skill and experience. For instance, a talented and experienced surgeon can usually do a vaginal hysterectomy in 30-45 minutes and do vaginal hysterectomy with anterior repair and posterior repair and TVT in about 2 hours, whereas an inexperienced or less expert surgeon can take 2.5 to 3 hours for vaginal hysterectomy alone. While the time one takes to do a surgery is not a direct measure of quality, long operating times often suggest that the surgeon was either struggling or uncomfortable doing the case. The message is to make sure as much as possible that your surgeon knows and has considered all of the surgical choices available to you, and that he/she is choosing the best surgery for you, and that he/she is skilled at performing these operations.

I hope that this two part discussion has been helpful in understanding the problems of pelvic Relaxation or pelvic support disorders, and it is my sincere hope that this information serves you well if you or a loved one are having problems in these areas or are contemplating surgery in the near future.

About the Author:

Dr Daryl Greebon is a board certified OBGYN with Women’s Specialists of Plano. Dr Greebon is a member of the Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano medical staff. Daryl Greebon, M.D., gynecologist, graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He went on to serve his internship and residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. http://www.obgynplano.com/womens-doctors-physicians/dr-daryl-greebon-md/

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Facts About Urinary Incontinence and Uterine Prolapse – The Solution

Facts About Urinary Incontinence And Uterine Prolapse – The Problem

Author: Dr Daryl Greebon

There are many forces that work on the pelvic floor in women. Lifting, laughing, coughing, sneezing, and having babies all have the effect of exerting downward pressure on the floor of the pelvis and in some women this leads to symptomatic problems such as urinary incontinence. These disorders are referred to as pelvic floor disorders, or as disorders of pelvic support. These disorders include urinary stress incontinence (urinary leakage), prolapsed uterus (dropped uterus), cystocele (dropped bladder), rectocele (bulging of the back wall of the vagina), enterocele (a form of internal hernia), and vaginal vault prolapse (dropped vagina after hysterectomy).

The common thread in all of these conditions is a loss of support of the uterus, bladder, or vaginal walls. While the forces listed above can cause problems, some women may do heavy work and have two or three babies and not have too much trouble, and others may not do particularly heavy work and have only one baby and still have a problem, so there is clearly more to this story than just the external forces. I believe that some women, or some families inherit a tendency to have weakness in the connective tissues that provide pelvic support. It is this weakness that allows these problems to occur.

It is therefore, no surprise that if a woman has generalized weakness of the pelvic floor, these problems are seldom isolated to one organ. While this is not always true, if a woman has urinary incontinence the odds are pretty high that she will have other issues as well, such as uterine prolapse or rectocele. Furthermore, since these organs are in close proximity, a problem in one may aggravate problems in others, so that a prolapsed uterus (dropped uterus) may over time make a cystocele (dropped bladder) get worse. This is one reason that in some cases if the bladder is repaired, but the uterus is not removed, recurrence of urinary incontinence is more likely. It is important when evaluating these problems for surgical correction that the entire pelvis is evaluated and that all problems are corrected at the same time. Every gynecologist, particularly early in his or her career has done a hysterectomy and repair of bladder, only to have the patient return six months or a year later with a newly developed rectocele because after the repair the forces of pressure were directed in a different place causing the new problem to develop. This could be avoided by choosing the best group of procedures at the start.

Uterine Prolapse

Let’s talk for a few moments about the various conditions. First, is a dropped uterus (uterine prolapse). While this can occur at almost any age (the earliest I have seen was a 21 year old nurse), it is more common in the 40’s and 50’s and beyond, after having had children and often after menopause. Uterine prolapse sometimes causes no symptoms until it is quite severe, but can cause pressure and discomfort. If the uterus is enlarged for any reason it is even more likely to cause pressure symptoms as it drops lower. This pressure may be felt in the lower abdomen, in the rectal area, on the bladder, or on the lower vagina. In extreme cases, the uterus can protrude completely outside of the vagina such that the vagina is almost turned inside out.

Bladder Issues

Second, a dropped bladder (cystocele, or bladder prolapse) can sometimes be subtle. There are two versions of this, one is when the neck of the bladder is dropped or weakened. The bladder neck is the important urinary control element, so when the bladder neck is dropped urinary stress incontinence develops. Urinary Stress Incontinence is a leakage of urine that occurs with coughing, sneezing, lifting or laughing. This is usually a small volume of leakage, maybe just a few drops, but can occur repeatedly throughout the day and can be a major problem. Most women would recognize this since mild versions may be a bit of leakage that occurs with running or sneezing.

There are other kinds of urinary incontinence which are not necessarily caused by a cystocele and which would not necessarily respond to surgical correction, so it is important to have preoperative assessment to decide if urinary stress incontinence is really the problem. The second sort of bladder problem is prolapse or weakness of the upper part of the bladder so that the bladder bulges into the vagina to a large extent. This can cause urinary retention and an increased risk of urinary tract infection. Sometimes this “pouch effect” can prevent urinary leakage, but if the mistake is made to fix the bulging bladder but not support well the neck of the bladder, having surgery might actually create urinary incontinence that a woman did not have before her surgery.

Rectocele

Third, a rectocele is a bulging of the back wall of the vagina over the rectum. This can be quite large at times, and can cause constipation, pelvic pressure, and in some cases a woman may have to place a finger in the vagina and press down to initiate a bowel movement. Different specialties may look at this problem differently. Some colorectal surgeons view this primarily as a bulging of the rectum and will offer a transrectal repair of this problem. Gynecologists on the other hand tend to view this as a defect of support, and it is my belief that any procedure that does not in some way provide better support of the back wall of the vagina is doomed to failure. I had a case in which a young gynecologist correctly diagnosed a rectocele, but his plan of action was to refer the patient to his friend the colorectal surgeon. The surgeon performed a transrectal repair. Immediately after the surgery the patient was concerned that the “bulge” for which she had originally gone in was still present. After six weeks of being told that this was swelling she asked the colorectal surgeon about it only to be told, ”Oh, that is a vaginal problem, you need to see your gynecologist for that”. She chose another doctor.

Enterocele

Fourth, an enterocele is much like an internal hernia in which the abdominal contents try to push their way down between the vagina and the rectum. This is fairly common with large rectoceles, but it is important for the surgeon to recognize this problem, know what it is, and repair it appropriately. Enteroceles are sometimes difficult to diagnose with certainty before surgery and tend to present like and act like a rectocele.

Vaginal Prolapse

Last, is vaginal vault prolapse. This occurs after a hysterectomy in women who have severe disorders of pelvic support. The normal anchors that hold the vagina in place after a hysterectomy do not hold and the top of the vagina comes down and often protrudes at the vaginal opening. This is often accompanied by pressure and discomfort. It is important in the initial evaluation to be sure what is coming down, is it the bladder, the top of the vagina, or the rectum. This distinction is important because the appropriate repairs might be significantly different.

This concludes our discussion of Urinary Incontinence and Uterine Prolapse – The Problem. Please continue your study of these problems with “Facts About Urinary Incontinence and Uterine Prolapse – The Solution”. Part II continues our discussion of Pelvic Floor Disorders and Disorders of Pelvic Support focusing on the surgical correction of these problems.

About the Author:

Dr. Daryl Greebon is a board certified OBGYN with Women’s Specialists of Plano. Dr. Greebon is a member of the Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano medical staff. Daryl Greebon, M.D., gynecologist, graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He went on to serve his internship and residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. http://www.obgynplano.com/womens-doctors-physicians/dr-daryl-greebon-md/

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Facts About Urinary Incontinence And Uterine Prolapse – The Problem

Understanding Uterine Fibroids

Author: Dr Daryl Greebon
Understanding Uterine Fibroids

Many women experience these non-cancerous tumors, which can require hysterectomies

A lot of women wonder just exactly what uterine fibroids are. They’re usually non-cancerous tumors that develop within the uterus, and 15-20 percent of women in their reproductive years and 30-40 percent of women older than 30 may suffer from uterine fibroids.

Why should women know about fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are the most prevalent pelvic tumor, but the cause of uterine fibroid tumors is unknown. Not all women with fibroids experience symptoms; however some women ache and have significant menstrual bleeding. In addition, fibroids can place pressure on the bladder, triggering frequent urination.

Fibroids may grow as a single growth or in groups. Fibroids vary in size from very small to eight inches in diameter. The growth of a fibroid typically depends on the hormone estrogen. Once a woman develops a fibroid, the fibroid usually continues to grow throughout her menstruation years.

Women who do not experience symptoms associated with their fibroids may not require treatment. Fibroids may even shrink after menopause, but if heavy bleeding or pain occurs, a hysterectomy may be required. Uterine fibroids are the main reason hysterectomies are performed.

What is a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy involves surgically removing the uterus, and sometimes the cervix and/or ovaries and fallopian tubes are also removed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, after cesarean section, hysterectomy is the second most frequently performed major surgical procedure for women of reproductive age in the United States. Approximately 600,000 hysterectomies are performed annually in the U.S., and an estimated 20 million U.S. women have had a hysterectomy.

Although some women are wary of having surgery to relieve symptoms because of the down time they may experience, new technology is available that enables the removal of uterine fibroids and hysterectomies to be performed less invasively, leading to shorter hospital stays. For hysterectomies that may be difficult to perform as a vaginal procedure and would otherwise require an abdominal hysterectomy, the “da Vinci® Surgical System” offers an alternative.

This new robotic technology offers numerous potential benefits over traditional surgery, including less pain and scarring, less risk of infection, and faster recovery. It also may decrease the risk of blood loss that can occur during a hysterectomy. This new technology is available to Collin County and other area residents at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, located near President George Bush Turnpike and Preston Road.

About the Author:

A member of the Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano medical staff, Daryl Greebon, M.D., gynecologist, graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He went on to serve his internship and residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Greebon is a board certified OBGYN practicing with Women’s Specialists of Plano. www.obgynplano.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Understanding Uterine Fibroids