Minerva ES as a treatment option for heavy periods. 

Dr. Denise Schumacher, MD has a passion for educating women about their health concerns and bringing awareness to minimally invasive treatments available for their heavy periods. Dr. Schumacher explains the endometrial ablation treatment to our listeners and why she chooses Minerva ES. 

Dr. Schumacher is a board-certified OB-GYN with over 25 years’ experience in women’s healthcare. She currently works with ima Healthcare in Fargo, ND providing gynecologic care to women of all ages, many of whom are not sure if their heavy period is a problem or that’s just how they always are. 

She prides herself on providing women with a comfortable environment during this in-office treatment. Setting expectations prior to the treatment is key along with providing a comfortable chair and allowing patients to make a personal music selection to feel relaxed during the treatment.

Dr. Schumacher reviews the goals of an endometrial ablation treatment and who is a good candidate as well as the tests she will perform to get to the root cause of your Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. 

Perhaps the most impressive part of the discussion is when host Katie Carranza, RN and Dr. Schumacher dig into the clinical data for Minerva ES and why she has selected this product to treat the patients in her community. 

Not just another period podcast–we know women are busy, so we get right to it. 

It’s time to talk, period. 

In this podcast:

●        Defining endometrial ablation

●        Goals of endometrial ablation

●        Who is a candidate for endometrial ablation

●        The data on outcomes for Minerva ES Endometrial Ablation

●        Patient comfort considerations before, during and after treatment

What women should know:

Dr. Schumacher encourages you to come prepared to your appointment. Sometimes we can get distracted or start talking about weekend plans, but it is important to get your questions answers. Bring a list! 

1. Take the period auiz. Take our heavy period quiz and bring the results to your appointment. [ link to quiz ]

 2. Ask questions Dr. Schumacher assures that if you have even the smallest little thought that your period is not normal, talk to you doctor. Describe what is happening to you and see if it does fall outside of normal because there are a lot of things that can be done, and you don’t have to suffer.

3. Empower other Women! You are the best advocate for the women in your life. Encourage the women you know who experience problematic periods to get talking, get into their GYN for a checkup, and get answers! Share the information you’ve learned and share this podcast.

Minerva Surgical is thankful to host a podcast where women of all backgrounds can come together and talk openly and honestly. We’ll bring new perspectives each month and hope you will be with us on our journey to empower women! 

The studies referenced in this video can be found at:

1. Laberge P, Garza-Leal J, Fortin C, Grainger D, Johns DA, Adkins RT, et al. A Randomized Controlled Multicenter US Food and Drug Administration Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of the Minerva Endometrial Ablation System: One-Year Follow-Up Results. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2017 Jan;1;24(1):124-132. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2016.09.009. PMID: 27687851

2. Minerva Endometrial Ablation System. Operator Manual. L0120. Minerva Surgical Inc. Santa Clara, CA, USA.

Summary: K0227 Rev. A
Video: K0218 Rev. A

We asked OBGYN Kent Meldrum, MD to discuss a common misconception: hysterectomy is the only option for treatment of heavy periods. While there are situations where a hysterectomy is necessary, Dr. Meldrum explains to our listeners that it may not be the best surgery for most patients with heavy bleeding. 

For the past eight years, Dr. Meldrum has been practicing at May-Grant Obstetrics and Gynecology in Lancaster, PA with his team of OBGYNs, nurse practitioners, and midwives. The team at May-Grant prides itself on providing women with treatment options based on individual needs. When it comes to treating Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB), they look to the most effective, least invasive and most affordable option. 

Listen as co-hosts Katie Carranza, RN, BSN and Shelly Spicer, RN, BSN ask some great questions about heavy period bleeding and AUB. They dig into AUB-E, a category of AUB where structural causes such as fibroids and cancer have been ruled out. 

Dr. Meldrum reviews the most effective hormonal therapies and surgical procedures and reassures us that there are options in how to treat a heavy period. He also reviews a successful, minimally invasive procedure that takes only a few minutes to perform.

Whether you are planning on having children or are past that point, you’ll learn about the endometrium, diagnosing abnormal bleeding, treatment plans, risks, costs and expected outcomes.

Don’t miss the last 5 minutes where Katie and Shelly do a little myth-busting. Just when you thought you’ve heard it all! This podcast has something for everyone.

Not just another period podcast–we know women are busy, so we get right to it. 

It’s time to talk, period.

In this podcast:

• Diagnosing Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)
• Defining the endometrium
• Defining Abnormal Uterine Bleeding- Endometrial (AUB-E)
• Range of AUB treatment options from over-the-counter medicine to hysterectomy
• Satisfaction and success rates
• eedback after endometrial ablation
• Risks associated with different treatment options
• Myth busters

4 Steps to  Peace of Mind:

Our Time to Talk…Period co-hosts, Shelly and Katie, want to remind you that you are unique but not alone! ALL women get periods, all women should get pelvic exams, and up to one in three women will experience Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB1).  

Knowing if you have a problematic condition will bring you peace of mind! These four simple steps can take you from being stressed to set-free!

1. Take the Period Quiz. Take this simple 6-question quiz to discover whether or not you have abnormal bleeding or a problematic condition requiring a visit. [ link to quiz ]
2. Make that Appointment! It doesn’t matter if you’ve delayed seeing a physician for a year, or two or more! You’ve come this far and owe it to yourself to make that appointment. As Dr. Meldrum explains, find a healthcare provider who will review all available options. Take the Period Quiz results with you to start this conversation. 
3. Ask Questions. Ask questions, listen, then ask more questions. It's important that you feel comfortable asking the hard questions that help you and your provider get to the root of the symptoms you are experiencing.
4. Empower other Women! You are the best advocate for the women in your life. Encourage the women you know who experience problematic periods to get talking, get into their GYN for a checkup, and get answers! Share the information you’ve learned and share this podcast.

Minerva Surgical is thankful to host a podcast where women of all backgrounds can come together and talk openly and honestly. We’ll bring new perspectives each month and hope you will be with us on our journey to empower women! 

1. Davis E, Sparzak PB. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. [Updated 2022 Aug 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan. Accessed October 14, 2022, from https://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532913

K0212 Rev. A

Getting her life back– how one woman took control of her period.

“I was canceling plans and not making plans… I just assumed everybody's periods were like this,”  – Kimberly

After several exhausting years of dealing with a period that was affecting her personal, professional, and social life, Kimberly needed answers. She needed options. She needed her life back. 

In this episode, Kimberly shares the moment she hit her breaking point. She describes how a 30-minute doctor visit with a 2-minute procedure reduced her once debilitating and calendar-dictating menstrual cycle to a light period.

Kimberly suffered from Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) and put it on the back burner for years. While many think of AUB in singular terms of heavy or excessive bleeding, Kimberly also experienced bloating, irregular periods, missing meetings, and sadness–all of which manifested a limiting lifestyle and emotional stress. 

A busy working mom with three children, Kimberly didn’t get the answers she needed early on. She assumed that what she was experiencing was just a heavy period.

However, with the right treatment, she went from carrying an oversized bag stuffed with super-plus tampons and pads to a fun little clutch purse. 

Listen in as our Uterine Health Clinical Educators, Katie Carranza, RN, BSN and Shelly Spicer, RN, BSN, ask challenging questions that women with AUB want answers to. They empower Kimberly to share openly about her experience in hopes that her story will inspire others to get the answers they need sooner than she did. 

Get tips on where to start, the questions to ask, and how to find a healthcare provider that will present all options, including minimally invasive treatments.

This is not just another period podcast–we know women are busy, so we get right to it. 

It’s time to talk, period.

In this podcast:

• Understanding Symptoms- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)
• Empowering women to openly discuss and be their own advocate
• Questions women can ask their healthcare provider
• Diagnosing AUB
• Finding a gynecologist who will present ALL treatment options
• Minimally invasive treatments (endometrial ablation) 
• Kimberly’s choice of treatment and what her procedure involved
• Advice to women experiencing symptoms of AUB

4 Steps to  Peace of Mind:

Our Time to Talk Period co-hosts, Shelly and Katie, remind you that you are unique but not alone! ALL women get periods, all women have to get pelvic exams, and one in three women will experience Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB1).  

Not everyone has a problematic condition, but knowing more about your body will bring you peace of mind! These four simple steps can take you from being stressed to set-free!

1. Take the Period Quiz. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) is a condition with a variety of causes, and those with AUB bleed about three times more than those who don’t. This 6-question quiz uncovers information about your period, and identifies whether you may have symptoms of AUB.  
2. Make that Appointment! It doesn’t matter if you’ve delayed seeing a physician for a year, two, or more! You’ve come this far and owe it to yourself to make that appointment. Take the quiz results with you to start the conversation. As Shonna Bates, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, explained in our previous episode, the women’s health office is a no-judgement zone! We are all in this together!
3. Ask Questions. Ask questions, listen, then ask more questions. It's important that you feel comfortable asking hard questions that help you and your provider get to the root of the symptoms you are experiencing.
4. Empower other Women! You are the best advocate for the women in your life. Encourage the women you know who experience problematic periods to get talking, get into their GYN for a checkup, and get answers! Share the information you’ve learned and share this podcast.

Minerva Surgical is thankful to host a podcast where women of all backgrounds can come together and talk openly and honestly. We’ll bring new perspectives each month and hope you will be with us on our journey to empower women! 

1. Spencer CP, Whitehead MI. Endometrial Assessment Re-visited. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1999 Jul;106(7):623-32. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1999.tb08358.x. PMID: 10428515.

K0211 Rev. A

Tired of tippy-toeing around “the issue”? We are too! It’s time to normalize the conversation around periods, pap smears, and painful menstrual cycles. Join us for 33 minutes of unfiltered talk about our bodies, why they can make us crazy at times, and what we can do about it!

Listen as Shonna Bates, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, gets straight to the point in this short episode as we discuss everything from the do’s and don’ts of cleaning your vagina, to what women can expect (very literally) during a pelvic exam. Get clear definitions of what’s normal in a period and when to be concerned. Gain an understanding of the options available to you when it comes to problematic menstrual cycles.

This is not just another period podcast–We know women are busy and we value your time, which is why we get right to it. Shonna reveals myths surrounding women’s health and invites all women, regardless of their situation or background. “Come as you are, we are not judging you,” –Shonna

It’s time to talk, period.

In this podcast:

• Women’s apprehensions about making appointments
• When to make appointments based on age and situation
• Advice for women who haven’t seen their provider  for 3, 4, or 5 years
• Preparing for the appointment – do you need to shave, or clean…?
• What is your provider assessing during a well woman exam?
• When you should see a general practitioner vs. GYN vs. OBGYN
• Clear definitions of a normal and abnormal period
• Treatment options for heavy periods – when/what is best?
• Tips for teens, women, parents, and post-menopausal women

4 Steps to  Peace of Mind:

Our Time to Talk Period co-hosts Shelly and Katie want to remind you that you are unique but not alone! ALL women get periods, all women have to get pelvic exams and one in three women will experience Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB1).  

Not everyone has a problematic condition, but knowing will bring you peace of mind! These four simple steps can take you from being stressed to set-free!

1. Take the Period Quiz. Take this simple 6 question quiz to discover whether or not you have abnormal bleeding or a problematic condition requiring a visit.

2. Make that Appointment! It doesn’t matter if you’ve delayed seeing a physician for a year, or two, or more! You’ve come this far and owe it to yourself to make that appointment. Take the test results with you to start the conversation. As Shonna explains, the women’s health office is a no-judge zone! We are all in this together!

3. Ask Questions. Ask questions, listen, then ask more questions. Did you know that anything over 2.7 ounces of blood PER PERIOD is considered abnormal bleeding? Women’s health practitioners and GYNs welcome all questions, and if they don’t–it’s time to find one that will!

4. Empower other Women! You are the best advocate for the women in your life. Share the information you’ve learned and share this podcast.  Encourage the women you know who experience problematic periods to get talking, get in, and get checked!

AUBandMe.com is thankful to be able to host a podcast where women of all backgrounds can come together and talk openly and honestly. We’ll bring fresh new perspectives each month and hope you will be with us on our journey to empower women! 

1. Davis E, Sparzak PB. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. [Updated 2022 Feb 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan. Accessed July 14, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532913/

Far too many women out there today needlessly suffer with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB). We’re here to talk and empower women with knowledge, real-life stories and the facts when it comes to all things related to periods. This show is hosted by two women with backgrounds in nursing, passionate about making a difference for women. It’s #TimeToTalk...Period.

Together, let’s break down the stigma surrounding AUB, and everything that comes along with women’s health. 

Each month, we will continue to build dialogue aimed at normalizing the conversation around uterine health.

The show will be hosted by Katie Carranza, RN and Shelly Spicer, RN, members of Minerva Surgical’s clinical education team.