But now, there's a new alternative being used locally that's giving women control over a very intrusive cycle.

“For years I’ve had irregular, heavy periods,” says 40 year-old Seattle resident Lisa McIntosh. “A red flag went up and I thought 'something’s wrong.' ”

1 in 5 women go through the same thing.

“In a lot of women, that just starts naturally happening as you get into your 40s and early 50s,” says Doctor Pat Rodrigues at Northwest Hospital's Outpatient Medical Center. She says up until now, the only alternatives were very intrusive.

“Typically, hysterectomy is where a lot of women ended up,” she tells KOMO 1000 News.

A hysterectomy’s 8 week recovery time is out of the question for anyone with a busy lifestyle, so Dr. Rodrigues is one of several women's specialists turning to something called an Endometrial Ablation System. One of the most popular is called "Nova Sure."

“This is a really slick, quick procedure,” Rodrigues says.

Nova Sure uses electrical impulses to massively slow bleeding in almost all women, and stopping it altogether in many.

“Not more than an hour and a half from the time I walked in to the hospital to the time I walked out,” McIntosh recalls. “My husband and kids were in the waiting room, and the kids never had time to get fussy.”

For McIntosh, life is a lot different these days.

“I have control of my period now, instead of my period having control of me,” McIntosh beams.

While the procedure is very successful in most women, there are risks involved. One of the highest risks is using an instrument inside the uterus, and the chance of it poking through the delicate muscle.

But McIntosh is part of the majority that is finding Endometrial Ablation Systems a literal new lease on life, every month.

“It’s really life-changing, and it’s a great feeling,” says the mother of four.

For More Information:

www.cytyc.com