Women, especially those who have or are prone to pelvic health disorders, should try to educate themselves more about their options of treatment. The study made by the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) indicates the lack of knowledge when it comes to these things.
Cypress, CA · August 13, 2008 /PRNewswire/ – A new awareness study found that virtually all women expect their OB/GYN to inform them about minimally invasive treatments for common pelvic health disorders (PHDs), yet comparatively few are aware of the newer treatments designed to cause less pain and provide shorter recoveries. Russell Research conducted the study for AAGL, the preeminent organization of gynecologic endoscopic surgeons.
“I expect my OB/GYN to tell me about the least invasive treatments, even if he or she doesn’t offer them and would need to refer me to someone else,” was the near-universal assumption (98%). Women expect their gynecologist to offer them treatment options with the least amount of pain (98%) and to consider how treatment will affect their lifestyle — factors such as recovery time, lost wages and additional child care costs (94%).
The survey results revealed that women’s expectations are not being met:
- Endometrial ablation is over 90 percent effective in providing relief from heavy menstrual bleeding, but less than half of those suffering from heavy bleeding had ever heard of it.
- Myomectomy, a minimally invasive procedure for removing fibroids, relieves heavy bleeding due to fibroids in 90 percent of cases. Only 45 percent of women with fibroids were aware of this option.
- Sling procedures are effective in treating women with mild to moderate Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and in some cases can be performed on an outpatient basis with no incisions. Two-thirds of those with SUI had never heard of sling procedures.
“This survey confirms what we have long suspected – that women with PHDs are not being fully informed about the range of available treatment options,” said Charles E. Miller, MD, President of AAGL. “When half of women suffering from a given condition are unaware that they may be candidates for a minimally invasive procedure that spares them pain, time and disruption of their lives, there is a clear need for stronger efforts in patient education.”
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