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Original poster

Has anyone had a endometrial ablation?

34 replies

Twoweekcruise · 10/12/2021 21:46

I am on a waiting list to have this procedure (hopefully soon).
I am 48 and have had years of heavy periods, they have left me very anaemic and housebound during my period. I absolutely dread my period.
I also suffer from polyps and have had them removed 3 times via hysteroscopy (over the last 5 years) but they grow back and even after removal I still suffer heavy bleeding.
I can’t tolerate hormonal stuff so the mini pill and mirena haven’t worked so have opted for the ablation.
However, there seems to be some hit and miss experiences of this procedure online with woman saying it left them in a lot of pain or that they needed a hysterectomy not long after although my friend has had it done and says it gave her life back.
Anyone had this done? What was your experience?

OP posts:
PuddingParty · 10/12/2021 21:48

One of the best things I ever did.

Perfect28 · 10/12/2021 21:50

Yes and it was a good move. I got pregnant immediately after after a long period of trying.

Perfect28 · 10/12/2021 21:51

Wait no wrong procedure sorry

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PastMyBestBeforeDate · 10/12/2021 21:51

Exactly what Pudding said. Literally the only downside is I don't know if I'm menopausal or not.

ParkerTheThief · 10/12/2021 21:52

Yes - it changed my life.

My gynae pain prior to the procedure was actually impacting. hugely on my quality of life - some days I could hardly move.

@Perfect28 - I was told that the procedure was only suitable for people who did not want any more children as a pregnancy following an ablation would be dangerous

ParkerTheThief · 10/12/2021 21:53

Crosspost

Foolsrule · 10/12/2021 21:53

Following. In the same boat and can’t get on with the Mirena. It’s so debilitating. I’ve literally ruined my car with a leak so bad the seat (pale, unfortunately) turned red 😩

ParkerTheThief · 10/12/2021 21:59

That was how I was @Foolsrule - couldn't sleep through the night as I would have to get up and empty a moon cup/change pads. Long journeys were a nightmare.
I had horrific abdominal pain - couldn't even do up my. own shoes some days.
The only regret I have is that I wasn't offered it sooner

MacavityTheDentistsCat · 10/12/2021 22:06

Best thing ever!! I had it done when I was about 40 and I'm now 52 and haven't had any bleeding whatsoever since about three months after the operation.

I had it done via the electrical method. My impression is that it takes some skill on the part of the surgeon to destroy the entire womb lining in fell swoop (and some luck that it doesn't grow back) but if the procedure works then it's great.

My two key pieces of advice would be: First: it's not quite such a minor procedure as claimed. It took me a good few days to get back on my feet. Second: Don't panic if you initially still have some bleeding! I had some on and off for about three months and then suddenly it all stopped and that was that. All the very best xxx

HeyMicky · 10/12/2021 22:10

I did. Like everyone else, it was amazing. Truly life changing. I recovered quickly at 35, and 6 years on still have no periods.

KatyN · 10/12/2021 23:04

I’ve had one. I had heavy bleeding and anaemia. Not life effecting but shit.
I’ve gone from a super plus tampon and towel every hour to a normal tampon for the full 8 hours (I change it because It’s convenient not because it’s leaking).
I was sterilised at the same time which is rather smashing!

Took me a few days to get back to normal too. Partly the general anaesthetic but also it was just a bit gassy and weird.

annonymousse · 10/12/2021 23:10

I had one many years ago. Immediate change from flooding and heavy bleeding for anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks. It changed my life! Periods almost stopped. Just very light bleeding for 1 day - to be honest could hardly call it bleeding. Saved so much money just on san pro and regained freedom. Best thing ever!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/12/2021 23:14

Yes. It was one of the worst experiences of my life, but definitely worth it. Not had a period since - totally life changing after years of flooding/clotting etc.

boobashka · 10/12/2021 23:18

I had one about 6 years ago aged 40 - would totally recommend. Only light bleeding every month now - transformed my life Smile

GrandmasCat · 10/12/2021 23:19

It didn’t work for me. First time the procedure failed as the cone mesh they were using didn’t cover the whole of the uterus so it had to be repeated.

One year later I made it to the top of the waiting list and had the procedure done using another technique. Unfortunately, they couldn’t remove one of the polyps but the rest was done.

One month later my period was back and lasted for 12 days. It has been pretty much the same since, It is lighter, but the heavy days (about 4-5) are as bad as before.

But… I was not prepared to go through a hysterectomy yet so… I guess is the best of two evils.

SunLovingMummy · 10/12/2021 23:29

I had one about 5 years ago due to heavy bleeding, decreased time between periods due to peri menopause. At the time of the ablation, I also had the mirena coil fit. I bled for about a week and then never again. No problems at all.

Dithercats · 10/12/2021 23:44

didn't work for me.
in order to do the ablation the machine has to be safely inserted into the uterus, i was one of the patients where the machine could not be safely inserted all the way inside. so it could not be done.
they do warn you of this before the procedure.

Finals1234 · 10/12/2021 23:44

I had one 7 years ago, absolute gamechanger. I have very light one day periods now compared to the full on crazy floods I used to. It took me a day to recover after the op, was very groggy from the anaesthetic, but no actual pain from the op itself. It did change my life for sure.

GloriaPunniford · 11/12/2021 09:02

I had one when I was 37. I used to flood and periods were about 18 days out of 24. It stopped my period which was great but about three years later I started getting terrible abdo pain. It was start of post ablatial syndrome.

The pain was crippling and no doctors took me seriously. I felt it was related to ovulating due to the timings. I had gynae investigations which I was told were clear. I needed to have a urethral dilation due to scar tissue.

Six years of this continued so badly that I had to go to A&E because I’d exhausted all painkillers and was in so much pain. They gave me morphine. I had a scan and I’d got endometriosis and adenomyosis which had grown over my cervix and closed it up. There was infected fluid building up inside.

I had an emergency hysterectomy and my tubes and ovaries removed. I’m all ok now.

HOWEVER I would still have had the ablation if I had known because the bleeding was the worst thing. I got so fed up with being fobbed of with ‘some women just have heavy periods’. I don’t think you can under estimate how badly bleeding can affect your life.

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 11/12/2021 10:28

Thank you everyone.
Foolsrule I know that awful experience of flooding out in places, it’s awful and bloody embarrassing, I once flooded on my mil’s kitchen chair!

OP posts:
GiveMeNovocain · 11/12/2021 10:33

I found it life changing. I've gone from flooding monthly followed by a heavy period to 3 drops on one day monthly. I combined the procedure with a mirena coil and it has transformed my life. It was painful but recovery was quick and it's saved me monthly agony

ParkerTheThief · 11/12/2021 14:07

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

Yes. It was one of the worst experiences of my life, but definitely worth it. Not had a period since - totally life changing after years of flooding/clotting etc.
My actual procedure was horrific - I was given the choice of having it under general or just with pain relief.

I opted to remain awake with pain relief as the recovery time would be quicker and the waiting list was shorter - in retrospect I should have had the GA

However, it was worth the pain for the payoff of quality of life

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 11/12/2021 16:09

I wish I'd had a general. It really was hideous. However, the results were amazing, so it was definitely worth it.

Equallyconfusing · 11/12/2021 16:14

I had it done and it was brilliant for several years then I started bleeding again. So now I'm randomly bleeding but no pain and doctors at a loss as to what to do. I would like a hysterectomy but apparently thats not possible. It was uncomfortable but wasn't as bad as what I thought, the only thing I hated was the smell of burning for a week or so. Good luck

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 11/12/2021 16:32

ParkerTheThief I am concerned about the pain but an ablation is about one of my only options left.

OP posts: