Has anyone had a uterine ablation?

[Sixmonthcruise]

I have had enough of very heavy periods.
After years of trying various things they are still heavy.
The gynaecologist has suggested a uterine ablation. I am done with having kids and love the idea of no periods but there are some horror stories online about Post Ablation Syndrome. I stupidly joined some FB ablation groups and the stories on there are so frightening, woman left in agony for months/tears after or needing urgent hysterectomies.
My gynaecologist says it’s rare and worldwide 3 million women have had an ablation.
Has anyone had one?
What was your experience?

Well, it was the most painful minute or so of my life! I didn’t have pain relief, just two lovely nurses who thought I was well ‘ard. 🤣

Anyway, fantastic, no problems at all.

I read that the lining can grow back too. I hate that most gynaecologist are men and don’t have to suffer the things they deny us decent and timely treatment for.

I suffered for a couple of decades. There were days I couldn’t leave the house due to flooding & days the pain was so bad it made me throw up. I was under gynae for 6 years (coil, pop, tranexamic & mefenamic acid etc etc) before they finally -after me begging in tears-agreed to my request of a hysterectomy.

Life.Changing.

Remember, you’ll only ever read the bad stories online.

SookieHouseboat haha! That’s good to know, thank you.
PostThenGhost yes it is so frustrating, I’ve been dealing with these awful periods for about 15 years now!

Yes. I had one at 48 for the same reason. I was badly anaemic
It was literally life changing for me and I never bled again
I had it done under a light general anaesthetic and was home within a couple of hours
In your position I wouldn't hesitate

I too had one under general - and haven’t bled since apart from the odd spot.
I do still get bad cramps (which I will speak to the GP about when I can get an appointment!) but the freedom from flooding and irregular periods has been amazing.

I had two, and they were really easy. I had a general anaesthetic for both, recovery was quick and pretty painless as I recall. After the first the womb lining did regrow, but I had a few years of relief from awful heavy periods.

The second didn't last quite as long but by that point I had been diagnosed with endometriosis and had a total hysterectomy at 47. I'm really grateful for the extra years of natural hormones and would honestly recommend going ahead.

Following for info, I'm on the waiting list for ablation later this year.

Has anyone had it without having a GA? My consultant isn't happy for me to have a GA due to previous issues.

Thanks all, very reassuring.
WithASpider Mine will be under a local. The gynaecologist who performs it at our hospital mainly does them under a local he told me today most of his ladies rate the pain a 3 out of 10 and walk out fine with minimal pain. Just hope that’s true for me 🤞

I had one
Best . Thing . Ever

Under GA was a little uncomfortable after but not awful
Took a week off to recover.

No more periods
Awesome.

@WithASpider

Following for info, I'm on the waiting list for ablation later this year.

Has anyone had it without having a GA? My consultant isn't happy for me to have a GA due to previous issues.

Yes, I did. It’s very painful, I won’t lie, but it can be done. It’s very quick, gas and air was on hand but I didn’t use it. I did grip the nurses’ hands quite tightly though. I was home after sitting for 20 minutes afterwards.

I had a failed ablation because my numerous fibroids were stopping them getting enough contact with my uterus. Had a hysterectomy 6 months later.

Following this as I'm thinking of requesting the same due to my ridiculously heavy periods and done with having children.

I had it a few years ago and it changed my life for the better!

Mine the best thing I’ve ever done ❤️

sorrysaywhatnow I think it’s definitely worth asking about, I’m done with having children, in fact done with having a uterus right now!

No GA - very painful. Worse than childbirth but much quicker! They called me three times before the procedure to tell me to take paracetamol so I panicked and took some old prescription painkillers I had lurking. Still wasn’t enough. But totally worth it - has totally changed my life.

I had one under GA but they did tell me afterwards the lining was likely to grow back due to a fibroid that they was too dangerous to totally remove.

Period free for almost 2 years, it was amazing, but once my periods started to return they offered me a hysterectomy, which was what the outcome was always going to be after a lifetime of gynae problems.

It’s brilliant, if heavy bleeding is your only issue then it’s life changing. I’ve got endometriosis so I still suffer with pain (managed with cbd oil) but not bleeding is such a relief!

Had mine late 30s was also sterilised at the same time as it's dangerous to get pregnant after ablation.

I was unwell for a coupes of weeks after (more like down to the sterilisation tbh).

Absolutely 100% worth it, life changing.

Some very light spotting a couple of days per month and has it 11 years ago!

Had it done in July 2017. Taken down about 3.30 then about 5pm I vaguely remember being brought round. Pain was bad and there was heavy bleeding like my periods. Discharged at 6.45pm and dosed until 10pm when I wanted toast. Was still in pain at 11pm. Took meds, woke up at 3am no pain. Next morning woke up still pain free. Bleeding stopped about mid day. Haven't bled since.

Best thing I ever did. Advice from friends was 4 days total bed rest. I did that and no issues since at all. My hair has finally grown back in, my skin is healthy. The iron issues were horrific. But are more or less resolved.

My ablation failed within the month. At work (teacher) I had agonising contraction like pains.

Went to the loo and my 'cooked womb lining' was coming out in big strips, looking exactly like cooked liver. Had the rest of the week off as it was awful - had my biggest bleed ever.

Was told this was due to fibroids. Had hysterectomy surgery scheduled very soon after that. Best thing ever.

Lifetime of gynea problems for me. Very heavy bleeding, flooding etc and also v painful cramps. Anaemic due to high blood loss. I had to wait until I was over 40 to be approved. In case I changed my mind about more kids. Ffs, I was already infertile and just needed help.

I had it under GA and pain wasn't too bad, needed a week off work really but only got a 5 day break as I'd had to isolate before the op due to Covid testing. I couldn't afford any more time off than that.

I haven't had any bleeding for 13 months now since the op, my anaemia is gone and I'm being discharged from needing iron infusions now. I still get period cramps. It's weird to know I still have a 'period' but without bleeding.

Please be kind to yourself and have the GA. Womens pain relief is often under prescribed when it's gynea related, men decide we are just supposed to cope. Best of luck

Thanks everyone. I was swinging between the thought of having a Mirena or the ablation but the Mirena seems a bit hit and Miss and can take a while to settle so I think I am going to go for the ablation. Don’t really relish the idea of either but I can not put up with such heavy periods and awful anaemia anymore,
MyOtherCarIsAPorsche that sounds horrific, must have been quite scary when it happened!

I have an ablation booked for in 4 weeks time, so long as my biopsy results come back in time.

It's under local anaesthetic. They recommend taking ibuprofen and paracetamol before you go, then you're given oramorph and anti sickness tablets upon arrival, and then gas and air alongside the local anaesthetic.

Really hoping its life changing!