Uterine Conditions and Treatment
When a woman faces a medical condition that affects her uterus (the hollow, muscular organ that holds and feeds a fertilized egg) the emotional impact can often be as challenging as the physical. These conditions include, but are not limited to, cervical and uterine cancers such as endometrial cancer, uterine fibroids, uterine prolapse, excessive bleeding, and endometriosis.

Endometriosis, also known as endometrial hyperplasia, is a condition in which the endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, causing scarring, pain, and heavy bleeding. It can often damage the fallopian tubes and ovaries in the process. A common organic cause of infertility, endometriosis can be treated with medications such as lupron for endometriosis, which lowers hormone levels and decreases endometrial growths.

Endometrial cancer — also known as uterine cancer — is more common among women after menopause, and standard treatment options include hormone therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus). Three of these — radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hysterectomy — are also used to treat cervical cancer.

For non-cancerous conditions like menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding), non-surgical treatments like hormone therapy or minimally invasive ablative therapies may offer relief.

For most uterine conditions, if non-surgical treatments fail to relieve symptoms, many women choose a more certain result with hysterectomy. While hysterectomy is relatively safe, always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits, to determine which approach is right for you.

For fibroids, a surgical alternative to hysterectomy called myomectomy may be an option.

Thanks to the da Vinci Surgical System,  a new category of minimally invasive myomectomy, da Vinci Myomectomy,   and minimally invasive hysterectomy, da Vinci Hysterectomy, are also available options.

Learn more:
> da Vinci urologic surgery (including treatment for prostate cancer )
> da Vinci gynocelogic surgery  (including hysterectomy)
> da Vinci cardiothoracic surgery (including mitral valve repair)
> The da Vinci Surgical System at daVinciSurgery.com

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.