Home Diseases and Conditions Postpartum Symptoms

Postpartum Symptoms

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Development Stage

Early Stage

Focused ultrasound research is in the laboratory phase and is not yet available for patients.

Clinical Trials

Focused ultrasound for this condition is being researched in clinical trials.

International Approval

Focused ultrasound is approved to treat this condition outside the US. Patients can seek commercial treatment at participating international sites.

FDA Approved

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved focus ultrasound for this condition. Patients can seek commercial treatment at participating sites.

Early Stage

Clinical Trials

International

FDA Approved

Focused ultrasound for this condition has been researched in clinical trials. However, at this time, we are not aware of any open clinical trials.

Focused Ultrasound Therapy 

Focused ultrasound is a rapidly evolving, therapeutic technology that could transform the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with postpartum symptoms.  The major areas included in this currently are challenges with uterine involution and breast pain after delivery. This novel technology focuses beams of ultrasound energy precisely and accurately on targets deep in the body without damaging the surrounding normal tissue. 

How it Works 

Where the beams converge, focused ultrasound produces several therapeutic effects that are being evaluated. One is the low intensity treatment of the uterus which has been shown to help improve the involution of the uterus compared to controls. In addition, the low intensity treatment has been used for patients with breast discomfort, resulting in significant decrease in the pain after treatment.  

The primary options for treatment of postpartum symptoms include the acknowledgement of the symptoms and the decision to use medication, if appropriate.  

For certain patients, focused ultrasound could provide a more effective and non-invasive alternative to conventional therapy.  

Advantages 

  • Focused ultrasound is non-invasive, so it does not carry added concerns like surgical wound healing or infection.  
  • Focused ultrasound can reach the desired target without damaging surrounding tissue. 
  • It can be repeated, if necessary. 

Clinical Trials 

At the present time, there are no clinical trials recruiting patients for focused ultrasound treatment of postpartum symptoms.  

Regulatory Approval and Reimbursement  

Focused ultrasound treatment for postpartum symptoms is not yet approved by regulatory bodies or covered by medical insurance companies. 

Notable Papers 

Wei D, Wang Z, Yue J, Chen Y, Meng J, Niu X. Effect of low-intensity focused ultrasound therapy on postpartum uterine involution in puerperal women: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2024 Apr 30;19(4):e0301825. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301825. eCollection 2024. PMID: 38687759  

Wei D, Yue J, Meng J, Gao J, Yang L, Niu X, Wang Z. Preliminary study of the effect of low-intensity focused ultrasound on postpartum uterine involution and breast pain in puerperal women: a randomised controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2024 Jan 5;14(1):658. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-51328-9. PMID: 38182657  

Click here for additional references from PubMed.