vital signs: Stemming the flow

Stemming the flow

A new non-surgical treatment for menorrhagia (excessive menstrual blood loss), using light therapy, has been developed by doctors at Leeds General Infirmary. It is normally used to treat cancer patients, and works by photosensitising the endometrium (lining of the womb) and then shining a light source on endometrial cells to destroy them. So far, 10 women with menorrhagia have been treated, with a blood-loss reduction ranging from 30 to 88 per cent, according to a report in Pulse.