This is from www.nbc10.com  under Health watch Medical Breakthroughs for Women November 27, 2001 by Renee Chenault-Fattah There is new relief for some of the most common medical problems women face. We're talking about medical breakthroughs for women, who need help to control endometriosis, too much bleeding and the pain and discomfort of hot flashes. It's a story for women and the men who love them. NBC10's Renee Chenault-Fattah has more. PHILADELPHIA - I had pelvic pain all the time, lower abdominal pain, just very tender all the time, said Melissa Asbell, who suffers from endometriosis. I've had my menstrual [cycle] for 10, 12 days at a time, said Francine Kirshenhofer, who suffers from excessive bleeding. You get this burning hot, like you're almost on fire, said Carla Froehler, who suffers from hot flashes. They are three different women with three very common female problems. But now cutting edge treatments are bringing help and relief. For years, Melissa Asbell has lived with the nagging pain of endometriosis. That's where uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, causing cramps, bleeding and in some cases infertility. Instead of traditional surgery, Melissa's doctor recommended controlling the problem with a device called the Helica TC. A probe emits helium gas that has been charged with low levels of electricity. It coagulates or cauterizes the areas of endometriosis, causing them to literally dry up. Francine Kirshenhofer suffers from another common women's problem, excessive monthly bleeding. Couldn't go very far you know, couldn't do much, Francine said. It was real painful.' Instead of a hysterectomy, she chose a breakthrough alternative called her-option . We're able to destroy the tissue down to a level where this originates from, said Dr. Seth Jordan Herbst, a gynecologist. Doctors insert a probe into the uterus. The tip is lowered to nearly one hundred degrees below zero. It freezes and destroys the uterine lining, putting an end to the excessive bleeding. If hot flashes have you losing your cool, a migraine medication called gabapentin may offer some relief. Carla is giving it a try, and says it worked after the very first day. It has definitely made my quality of life much better than I could have ever imagined, Carla said. Some of these treatments are so new, they are not yet available in our area. But you still may want to ask your doctor about them. Freeze away bleeding Almost 14 million women suffer from some form of abnormal bleeding. This excessive bleeding can cause pain, and lead to anemia. This condition is often treated with hormone replacement therapy or a hysterectomy, but often women want an alternative to these treatments. Now women have an option to stop their abnormal bleeding that does not require the surgical removal of their uterus. The procedure is called her-option . It uses a process known as cryoablation, where extreme temperatures are used to destroy the lining of the uterus. This procedure can go directly to the problem where the tissue originates so that new tissue re-grows. The procedure is done under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, and takes about 20 minutes. About half of all women treated with her-option have no periods after the procedure and about 45% will end up with a very, very light period or spotting. The final 5% may still have heavy bleeding and require other treatments. Like a hysterectomy, the her-option procedure leaves women unable to bear children. The procedure is FDA approved. For more information on the procedure contact: Dr. Gregory Fossum, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital 215-955-5000 Dr. Ozzie Saguil, Virtua West Jersey Hosp. (Voorhees campus) 856-424-6911. Hot flash relief After hearing reports from a patient that her hot flashes went away after taking her migraine medication, Dr. Thomas Guttuso thought there might be something to her claims. He conducted a small study using the medication gabapentin to ease hot flashes in women. On average, the preliminary study shows it provided about 85 percent to 87 percent reduction in hot flashes. Gabapentin was approved by the FDA in 1994 for the treatment of seizures. It has also been used to treat migraine headaches and anxiety disorders. Although the drug is being studied at the University of Rochester Medical Center as a treatment for hot flashes, gabapentin has not been FDA approved for the treatment of hot flashes. Right now, Dr. Guttuso is the only doctor studying gabapentin for the treatment of hot flashes. You may contact him through the public relations office at the University of Rochester Medical Center, at 716-275-7954. Drying out endometriosis A new option is being offered to women with endometriosis. It's called the Helica TC, and is a less invasive alternative that some doctors say holds greater promise for reduced pain and improved fertility. The Helica TC works by using helium gas ionized with low electrical current to dry out' endometriosis. Using a small incision, the Helica TC is inserted into a small scope in the pelvic region. Dr. Richard King is the only doctor using this procedure in the country, and says it reduces the recurrence rate of the condition and a higher fertility rate after the procedure. For more information, you can call Dr. King's office in Gainesville, Florida at 352-372-5600.

I wonder if this treatment would have adverse affects to women TTC.  It seems that the women who are doing it are choosing it over the option of getting a hysterec.  Obviously, women who do not want to have children/anymore children.

hysterec.  Obviously, women who do not want to have children/anymore children.