This review examines the peer-reviewed literature describing prospective studies that report
amenorrhea rates, patient satisfaction, and surgical reintervention rates following the NovaSure®
endometrial ablation procedure. A search of the English-language literature published from 2000 to 2011 was conducted using PubMed. Ten prospective studies, six single-arm NovaSure trials, and four randomized controlled trials comparing the NovaSure procedure with other global
endometrial ablation modalities met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The follow-up periods ranged from 6 to 60 months.
Amenorrhea rates for the NovaSure procedure ranged from 30.0% to 75.0%. Patients who reported being satisfied with the NovaSure procedure ranged from 85.0% to 94.0%. In randomized controlled trials with other global
endometrial ablation modalities,
amenorrhea rates at 12 months with the NovaSure procedure ranged from 43.0% to 56.0%, while other modalities ranged from 8% to 24%. In addition, this manuscript reviews the following: the NovaSure technology; use of the NovaSure procedure in the office setting; intraoperative and
postoperative pain; effects on
premenstrual syndrome (PMS);
dysmenorrhea; special circumstances, including presence of
uterine disease, history of cesarean delivery, coagulopathy, or use of
anticoagulant medication; post-procedure uterine cavity assessment and
cancer risk;
contraception and pregnancy; and safety.