Are Your Affected by ? f you are avoiding social events or estimated to affect 20 percent of women, medical conditions such as cancer, missing work because of heavy can interfere with daily life. fibroid tumors and miscarriage. menstrual bleeding, a procedure called I Abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding uterine ablation could be an option What is perimenopause? can cause women to because it helps stop abnormally heavy Perimenopause is when a woman’s uterine bleeding in 90 percent of women. s "EPHYSICALLYTIREDANDNAUSEATED hormone levels and menstrual periods s %XPERIENCECRAMPING become irregular as she approaches The procedure preserves the but s (AVEHEADACHES menopause. Symptoms typically begin ablates the uterine lining, minimizing when a woman reaches her late-30s to or eliminating menstrual flow. Uterine s 3UFFERWITHMOODINESS DEPRESSION and anxiousness mid-40s, and one of the symptoms can If heavy menstrual flow is interfering ablation can be done in a variety of ways, be heavy menstrual bleeding. When a with your life, talk with your gynecologist s ,ACKCONlDENCE and is offered by gynecologists at Holy woman has had no period for a year she to understand more about the uterine Family Hospital and Merrimack Valley s -ISSWORK SOCIALAND is considered to be in menopause. The ablation procedure if you think it may be Hospital. athletic events average age of menopause is 50. an option for you. Symptoms of heavy menstrual Is uterine ablation for anyone If I have uterine ablation, can I To identify a gynecologist in your bleeding? experiencing heavy periods? still have children? area who offers this treatment option, TM Women generally begin to experience Abnormal uterine bleeding affects about Uterine ablation is only appropriate for please contact DoctorFinder at heavy bleeding when they are in their one in every five women and is often due women who have completed childbearing 800-488-5959. late-30s to mid-40s and approaching to changes in hormone levels caused by as it can cause irreversible loss of fertility. menopause. Heavy menstrual bleeding, perimenopause. It can also be caused by 7OMEN.EED.OT&EEL%MBARRASSED!BOUT)NCONTINENCE !LMOSTHALFOFWOMENWHOHAVEHADABABYHAVESOMEDEGREEOFPELVICORGAN

elvic organ prolapse is caused by injury to the coughing. Heredity is another important factor since Prolapse of the bladder happens when the front wall muscles or supporting tissue of the pelvic floor. this condition often runs in families. of the . The bladder may prolapse into The main cause of this type of injury is having the vagina which can cause the urethra to prolapse P “The key to effectively treating had children. Other causes of pelvic support problems as well. Urine leakage during coughing, sneezing, or is making the proper diagnosis. Women should not are prior pelvic , menopause, aging and intense exercise is a common symptom. feel embarrassed to discuss their symptoms with their physical activity. Also, factors that add more pressure health care provider. However, it can often times be Herniated small bowel happens due to weakening on the abdomen can cause pelvic organ prolapse difficult since many women with prolapse can also of the upper vaginal supports following a such as being overweight or obese, being constipated have problems with urine leakage,” said Melinda R. when the front and back walls of the vagina separate, and straining to have a bowel movement, and chronic Birdsall, MD FACOG, an award winning gynecologist allowing the intestines to push against the vaginal skin. at Merrimack Valley Hospital who specializes in pelvic Prolapsed uterus is caused by the weakening of reconstructive surgery. “Almost one half of women who ligaments at the top of the vagina, which causes the have had a baby have some degree of pelvic organ uterus to fall. Depending on the degree of weakness, prolaspe. However, pelvic support problems can also the uterus can fall into the upper portion of the vagina, occur in women who have never had children.” lower part of the vagina, the vaginal opening or protrude Without medical treatment or surgery, prolapse can outside the body. continue farther into the vagina, and even through Vaginal prolapse occurs following removal of the the vaginal opening. Pelvic organ prolapse can cause uterus (hysterectomy) which provides support for the discomfort and pressure, affect sexual function, and top of the vagina. The top of the vagina falls toward affect bodily functions such as urination and bowel the vaginal opening causing the walls of the vagina to function. weaken. The top of the vagina may eventually protrude Types of pelvic organ prolapse include: out of the body through the vaginal opening. Prolapse of the rectum happens when the back If you have symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse you wall of the vagina weakens and the rectal wall pushes can make an appointment with Melinda R. Birdsall, against the vaginal wall, creating a bulge which may MD by calling 1-800-488-5959 or by logging on to Following a surgical procedure, Gynecologist Melinda R. Birdsall, become noticeable during bowel movements. www.Steward.org/Merrimack-Valley and clicking on MD, FACOG, goes over a patient chart with Kathy Renzi, RN. TM DoctorFinder . 7