endometrial ablation

[gingeme]

Good evening. I have extremely heavy and painful periods. I have tried everything from depo injections to the pill and have asked for a hysterectomy. It has been suggested I try endometrial ablation first. Has anyone else had this and has it helped ? Thanks x

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Watching with interest.

[pearlgirl]

I had this done last summer as I had heavy painful periods with very unpredictable flooding. I was at the GP today and she asked about it - so so glad I had it done - I feel like I have my life back as so much energy and time was wasted on planning, washing and arranging things around my unpredictable cycle. I was uncomfortable for a couple of days after but No more than that. I have had no bleeding after the initial few days and am so glad I had it done.

[gingeme]

Thankyou pearlgirl. Can I ask do you still get pms? Does it calm it down at all ? I get it terrible and all the extra hormones I got from the pill etc just seemed to make it all worse !

[puddingisgood]

Another success story here. I had awful flooding and almost non-stop bleeding for months before my procedure. Now I have a light monthly bleed and the maternity pads and granny pants are banished! A straight-forward procedure with minimal pain and a couple of days off work. No regrets here.

[gingeme]

That is good to hear pudding x
Anyone else ?

[pearlgirl]

I am tender each month but not as sore as I was before and I am aware of the changes in my body throughout my cycle but they are less extreme than before.

[gingeme]

And what about your libido? Mine is non existent

[CastilianHhhhidalgo]

My mum has had it done and it pretty much changed her life, her only regret is not pushing to have it done sooner.

I've been trying to get one but was turned away by the consultant I was referred to for being too young at 28. Apparently if I wait five or ten years he'll reconsider

DH has since had the snip so we're hoping that having permanent contraception in place will make it easier to find someone prepared to do it.

[gingeme]

Yes castallion that does seem young though if your baby days are over what is the reasoning for them not doing it ? How bad was your Mum beforehand ? I get to about 4pm and could quite happily go to bed! Not good with three ds to look after and I'm a childminder !!

[CastilianHhhhidalgo]

gingeme The only reason was just that, that I was too young to make such decisions Unsurprisingly there was no question of DH not being capable of deciding to have a vasectomy at a similar age.

Bit of TMI, I'm pretty much housebound for the two or three heaviest days, I have to sleep on bath towels and I'm up and down to the toilet during the night sometimes as often as every 15 minutes I can normally just about take the edge off the pain enough to function with over the counter stuff, it's more the heaviness of flow that's the problem for me.

My mum was similar but she was much older than me when she finally had it done.

[gingeme]

Castilian did they say how old you had to be to get it done ?
I'm really heavy where as I use a mooncup but still use a few pads through the day too. Its the pits isn't it ?

[CastilianHhhhidalgo]

He didn't give a specific age, just a vague five to ten years from then I should have been more assertive but I'm a bit pathetic not very good at standing up for myself. I'll take someone with me next time just in case!

The GP was perfectly happy that we had exhausted all other avenues and an ablation was necessary so I'm hoping getting referred to a different consultant will have a different outcome.

[guggenheim]

Hi,I've had one done and it's made a huge difference. I had it done five years ago and it's still good. I have normal periods now of regular length at a regular time. I'm probably menopausal so that may affect things but I say- have it done.

I have some pain now because they couldn't take all of the endo out because some of it is very close to my bowel (sorry tmi) but the surgeon very sensibly left it alone. previous to that the pain was excrusiating (sp).

Op was fine,longer than expected and I was sore for a while afterwards. Well worth it IMO.

[Vajazzler]

I had one done 3 yrs ago as I would regularly lose 200mls of blood and several large clots each cycle. It went fine and I recovered quickly but found for the first year or so I suddenly had period type symptoms such as cramps and breast tenderness where I hadn't before. These symptoms gradually got less and now I don't get them any more, however my periods are slowly but surely getting heavier again. The consultant did warn me that would happen and that a repeat procedure may be needed 5+ yrs down the line.

[gingeme]

Thankyou ladies. Well I have two more weeks till I get the letter to tell me yay or nay on my hysterectomy, though Ive got a feeling it will be nay! If the ablation is suggested I shall have it done on your good advice

[BigBirdFlies]

Can I ask people who have had an ablation if you had it done under general or local? Did you go home the same day?

If under local was it painful? Is sterilisation carried out at the same time? Just been talking about this today with my cardio who thinks it would be a good idea because Mirena hasn't suited me. I have a sinking suspicion that I have fibroids so then AFAIK ablation is out .

[pearlgirl]

I had it done under spinal - very quick about 25 mins and they were taking biopsies as well. I listened to my iPod and chatted to the nurse and didn't feel anything . I went home the same day - it took a while to be discharged because of needing to check the suitability of some of the pain killers and antibiotics they discharge you with. Felt tender but not in pain for a few days and have never looked back. I was clearing out the dark corners of my car boot recently and came across one of my bags of "spares" and am so pleased that all that faffing about is behind me.

[guggenheim]

I had a general because I am a giant wusss. Honestly,I'm yellow through & through. I'm sure the local would have been fine but my op took 2 hours in the end because the endo was more extensive (or whatever) then they thought it might be. I have no idea if that affects wether you have local or general.
Oh and I think it has helped with pms too.Good luck!

[gingeme]

Well I didn't know there was a choice but I think I would choose general as I am too a big wuss. Don't like the idea of spinals. Too many risks. Glad to hear it helps pms and so is DH lol

[thegreylady]

I had the ablation years ago and it was life changing for me. I had one heavy period afterwards then never had another. I was 48 and didn't get other menopausal symptoms for another 4 years.

[dontknowwhat2callmyself]

I had it done last year it has been fab! Slight bleeding/discharge for six weeks afterwards but no more periods since - I really hope it stays this way. It was the best decision ever I'm so glad I don't have to plan my life around my period anymore. I don't think it helps reduce period pain and I still feel hormonal e t c.....Just a thought -have you tried transexamic acid?

[gingeme]

What is that dontknowwhattocallmyself ?

[mummytowillow]

I was just going to start a thread about this!

Those that have had it done was it Novasure?

Did you have a general or local and was it painful?

I'm 45 and my heavy periods are affecting my life. I have to use extra super plus tampons and a pad and still leak through.

During the night I get up three times to change or the bed is covered, this can't be normal. I had the Mirena which worked but I hated the side effects so had it removed.

So ablation is my next step I think.

[gingeme]

Glad to be of help mumtowillow x

[dontknowwhat2callmyself]

Transexamic acid are tablets you can take during the first three days of your period which helps to reduce the flow of blood. GP prescribed for me.