Hysterectomy or ablation?? Which one??

[MistyIsland]

Finally after years and years I’ve finally got an appointment to see the gyne about having either a hysterectomy or an ablation.

Now it’s time to decide which one I want??

Does anyone have any pro and cons for either?

I’m just so pleased after 10 years they are finally doing something!

Hysterectomy or endometrial ablation any advice would be appreciated

Hysterectomy or ablation which one have you had any stories positive and negative are welcome.
Thanks

How old are you?

Ablation is less invasive but I have heard (not scientific fact!) That it doesnt always work.

Hysterectomy deals with problem permanently but you may need HRT after which has other risks/downsides, plus there's the anaesthetic issue. I think ablation you're awake.

FWIW I had total abdominal hysterectomy aged 38 (family complete) never looked back despite needing high dose HRT and the problems it brings.

I definitely suffered more with my uterus and ovaries intact!

I tried to have an ablation but because I had several small fibroids the balloon could not make proper contact with my uterus lining.

I then had a total abdominal hysterectomy and it was life changing for me. No regrets whatsoever. As I had endometriosis I had to take an HRT called Livial (generic name tibolone). I was supposed to take this for 5 years but came off it a bit sooner because my blood pressure rocketed.

You'd be better posting this on the Women's Health forum.
I'm following with interest as I had my fibroids treated with uterine artery embolisation a year ago but still experiencing quite heavy bleeding. I've had an MRI and waiting on appointment with the consultant in a couple of weeks time to see if there's still an underlying cause and discuss what can be done about. Part of me doesn't want to go down the hysterectomy route as it's such major surgery and perhaps I should try ablation first (if it's an option). I also wonder if hysterectomy is too extreme given my symptoms, but then I take medication just to enable to sit through work meetings for more than hour without needing to go to the toilet and plan my social life and activity around my periods so maybe it isn't too extreme?!?

I can’t have an ablation as my fibroids are embedded within my uterus wall and so I’m having these removed first before hysterectomy. It was offered to me too but it’s too invasive for me at this stage and I didn’t want to deal with any HRT. Not looking to have any more kids but want to see if the myomectomy will stop the bleeding. My friend had ablation for heavy bleeding and was so happy with the results. You can also have a hyst which preserves the ovaries and cervix. Have you discussed this?

I had an ablation and it failed. I had to wait 6 months and then had a hysterectomy.

Thank you for your replies.
I've been offered ablation with a mirena put in straight after the procedure,
I've had laparoscopy and endometriosis removed, 3 c sections, d&c for investigation purposes. My worry is that the ablation and mirena together will fail and then spending months waiting to see if it works, still getting cyclic pains etc and then probably ending up with a hysterectomy anyway, I understand it's a major operation but at least it solves the heavy flooding permanently.
I don't think doctor's understanding that it's not just physically draining it's mentally draining too. I just want to live a life without looking at the calendar wondering what this month is going to bring.

Embroideredstars.
I'm 42 family also complete.
Great to know your hysterectomy went well and you are no longer suffering.
It's just misery for 3 weeks of every month.

I had endometrial ablation in November 2017 due to adenomyosis and heavy bleeding. It stopped my periods but increased the pain and blood was pooling in my uterus.
I had a Lap-assisted vaginal hysterectomy in March 2019, just keeping ovaries and I feel so much better. I had a really good recovery and no complications.
I felt like a had to jump through several hoops (the pill, prostrap injections which put me in the medical menopause and then ablation - I refused the coil!) to get my consultant to agree to a hysterectomy but I am so pleased I had it done.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

How was your Adenomyosis diagnosed, I believe I also have this but have been told there's no test that can for certain give a diagnosis of it and that it's usually only found after pathology after a hysterectomy

@Vanillaskystar if that's the case for you maybe the hysterectomy is a good option?

3 out if 4 weeks suffering is too much and potentially to have to go through the surgery anyway. If you have endo, would the mirena even help with pain? I'm not sure I never had that. I had endo too and most of my pains went after TAH. With ovaries and uterus intact and mirena you will still have a regular cycle wouldn't you ie still have some pain?

I really didnt realise how much I suffered (pain, bleeding, severe pmt) until I didnt have it anymore! It was truly a revelation how much I put up with! And the money I have saved on sanitary products is huge

I found the drs were all wary of hysterectomy (because it is so final, I guess they worry about being sued etc)

Even on the day of the op he gave me the option not to go ahead. I even said if my dh left tomorrow/died I wouldn't be out finding a new man to have dc with until I was too old to have them anyway!

It's your decision and VERY personal and individual to you but it sounds like you've done/tried all you can to alleviate symptoms without resorting to the surgery. Ablation is fairly recently developed procedure I think and may be a good option for some people to try in the first instance but it won't be for everyone.

How have you been since your hysterectomy?
That's my problem with the ablation, going through all that and more waiting and then it's failed

The ablation also means you can no longer carry a child as getting pregnant after one is too high risk, that's why they recommend a form of birth control (mirena) etc.
I haven't been offered a choice as to having a hysterectomy or not, just recommended ablation along with mirena. They haven't even bothered to carry out blood tests, scans etc, only a d&c and biopsy.
I just think even though a hysterectomy is major surgery at least it definitely means no more bloody periods. Pardon the pun.

My adenomyosis was suspected through trans-vaginal ultrasound (my notes said I had a 'bulky uterus'), then confirmed after my hysterectomy. They also found endometriosis in my fallopian tubes when they removed them.

I was told after the d&c that my uterus was bigger than average, I'm guessing that's a way of saying its bulky, I also have pain not associated with my cycle but feels constant period pain, this is why I suspect Adenomyosis.
The doctor said it usually discovered after a hysterectomy.
I'm really considering asking for a hysterectomy, I'm so done with it all.
Thank you so much for your replies, they've been really helpful.