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What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when the lining of the womb grows in places outside the womb. This usually occurs in the lower half of the abdomen around the reproductive organs or on the lining of the abdomen. Just as the lining of the womb bleeds during a period endometriosis can also bleed and form fibrous tissue (scars or adhesions). Endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological complaint and it has even been known to appear as soon as a woman's first period begins.
Symptoms
  • Heavy and painful periods
  • Pelvic pains
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Infertility (difficulty in conceiving)
Any one or a combination of those symptoms could indicate the presence of endometriosis. It is therefore in your own interest to visit and talk to your GP as soon as possible. More and more women are now seeking treatment, having suffered in silence for years and so allowed their condition to worsen, unaware that something effective could be done to ease their pain or discomfort. There is no need to suffer in silence help your doctor to help you.
Treatment for Endometriosis
After a preliminary examination, your GP may refer you to a Hospital Specialist (Gynaecologist), who will decide whether endometrioses is responsible for your symptoms. To be absolutely sure the specialist will need to examine you using a procedure known as a laparoscopy.
What is a Laparoscopy?
A Laparoscopy is a medical term for keyhole surgery. This involves making a number of very small incisions through which special surgical instruments are passed and then used inside your body to treat the endometriosis. The specialist looks inside your abdomen using a special telescope known as a laparoscope. Alternatively your GP or Gynaecologist may recommend medication. A course of drug treatment could last 6-9 months or longer.
How does the Helica Thermal Coagulator help?
A Scottish Electronics Company has developed a revolutionary device called a Helica Thermal Coagulator (Helica T.C.), which allows the endometrioses to be treated at the same time as the laparoscopy is being performed. Invariably this procedure is carried out in the Day Centre as a day case in the Women's Health Care Department within your local hospital. The Helica T.C. destroys endometriosis by using a process called fulguration. This equipment uses helium gas and a small electric current to "dry out" the endometrioses. The Helica T.C. allows the Gynaecologist to be very accurate in treating the endometrioses and, when working close to reproductive organs, this reduces the risk of causing future furtility problems. Clinical trials with the Helica T.C. indicate not only that it is a safe, quick and effective form of treatment but also that 79% of patients treated with the equipment would recommend willingely this type of treatment to other sufferers.
Will I be given a general anaesthetic?
Yes
What can I expect to feel afterwards?
When you wake up you may experience slight discomfort in your abdomen and also between your shoulder blades. These aches are caused by the carbon dioxide gas used during a laparoscopy but should disappear fairly quickly. The incisions may require a few stitches or be closed using small strips of tapes. Full recovery takes about a week.
What's different about the Helica Thermal Coagulator ?
The HELICA TC is an electronic instrument which creates and delivers an inert electrical plasma beam (hot gas) that can be accurately controlled and works without having to make contact with tissue.
It uses a safe low power electrical current and very low volume of inert helium and can be controlled to cauterise to a depth of a single cell. This cauterisation procedure is highly effective in the treatment of endometriosis, particularly in laparoscopic operations where it is very safe to use and affects only the surface of the problem areas without spreading to healthy tissue.
The HELICA TC is simple to set up and use during surgery and can be successfully used even if no treatment was anticipated prior to the operation making it particularly suitable for treatment of endometriosis which is difficult to diagnose and sometimes requires exploratory surgery to identify properly. In these circumstances the HELICA TC can be used immediately and thus reduces the need for further surgery or treatment.
The HELICA TC has low electrical power and low gas volume but can be controlled accurately over the full range from a minimum of 1cell to a full 1 mm penetration and still cover all the affected area, this reducing operating time considerably.
This totally safe and easy procedure can be used in all types of "keyhole" and "open" surgery to give instant pain relief through cauterising nerve endings in affected areas. It is so accurate that it does not impair fertility after the operation and can be successfully used for Fallopian Tubal Surgery.
Who should I contact if I suspect I may be suffering from Endometriosis?
If you suspect you may be suffering from Endometriosis you should contact your General Practitioner.
We provide a GP Endometriosis Information Letter which you should print off and give to your General Practitioner. The leaflet is available below...

If you email your postal address with postcode to info@helica.co.uk, we will advise you of the nearest treatment centre, please be assured that all communication will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

You can also contact us on telephone no. 0131 449 4933 or 0800 435 357