Endometrial ablation, anyone have this done?

[Thebeardid1t]

Ok so who has had this done?
I was recently referred by my GP to gynae to be investigated further for this procedure, following my in going heavy periods. However last week, I received a letter from my GP, stating that gynae have essentially declined the referral due to a change in local policy and we have to try other pharmacological options.

Now first, I'm all for investigation making sure everything is appropriate but, having 2-3 weekly heavy periods, changing every two hours and making sure every bathroom I frequent is heavily stocked with super pads and tampax. You'd think that would be good to go for a referral and have this procedure. Nope, we got to try drugs that may cause you diarrhoea, Tranexamic acid. Well not only have you got to deal with heavy blood loss and swapping your tampax every two hours, but your gonna be practising your score of 10, through the eye of a needle!!! Whilst you have your little ones observing you, as you never have privacy as a Mum, hey!!! So now thinking about going private and wondering the views of others who have had this treatment.
Many thanks in advance.

I had this done at the Royal Free in 2010 after increasingly heavy periods. It went well, I made the mistake of going back to work after only three days (teaching, should have taken a week off). My periods didn't stop, but were dramatically better. They remained light until my last one 3 years ago, and now I suppose I am in the menopause, but I have no other symptoms so all good ! I'm so glad I had this done rather than a hysterectomy, having had 2 x C-sections, I feel that I've had my share of operations ! Good luck

I took tranexamic acid for years. It worked wonders. Probably about 10 years in all. Then I hit 40 and had my second child and the bleeding was crazy. Super plus tampon every hour. Ridiculously aneamic.
Had an ablation it took about a week to get back on my feet properly. I think I got an infection. I still have periods but use a normal sized tampon for much longer times. You or your partner just be sterilised. Your womb can not carry a baby. They were really strict in this. For me they removed my Fallopian tubes at the same time. This made the process slightly longer because I had to ‘properly think about sterilisation ‘ (their words)
The issue is, if gynea won’t see you, how will you get the ablation?

I had it done in June. I wish I'd had it done five years ago when offered. It's literally life changing.

I spot for 24 hours once a month. Still get cramps and back ache, but no flooding, no changing super towels hourly, no clots that are egg sized, no period that lasts 7-10, followed by spotting for 7-10 days.

After 15 months of trying everything else I finally have my discussion about having an abalation - I can’t wait!!!

Mine was 100% successful. After about 4 weeks of watery/bloody discharge I have had no bleeding at all. I was not sterilised as gynaecologist was happy for me to just have a coil. It has literally been life changing as I was bleeding over 50% of the time with a week of really heavy bleeding in that. I’m not exhausted all they time any more and don’t have to think where the loo is every time I go out.
I had tranexamic acid and I don’t remember it doing me any harm but it didn’t do any good either. Ditto the coil. No bad side effect but the bleeding didn’t lessen.

I've had one, best thing I ever had, just wish I hadn't waited two years after it was first suggested. I haven't had a period in two years since having it done

I've had it. Didn't make much of a difference to my pain levels. Ablation just gets rid of the surface of something. Excision surgery removes it at the root. I would look to see if this is an option for you.
The best thing for my endometriosis has been coming off the pill. I was in agony every day whilst on it. Now I'm in agony for half the month and in more manageable pain for the rest of it.

Oh and my heaviness of periods hasn't improved to be honest.
I'm glad I had the ablation in a way as it's the only way to really get a proper diagnosis but I don't think I'll have it again. My endo is in an awkward place though so I'm not sure if I can have excision.

What drugs have they said about you trying?

Had it done last summer - wish I'd done it years ago!

It's honestly been life changing

Had it done about 5 years ago. Didn’t make much difference to me.

I was housebound for the first few days of my period. I had an ablation and no periods since. I'm a very big fan.

I had it done in 2011 after needing a blood transfusion for severe anaemia due to ridiculously heavy periods. Changed my life. Best thing I ever did. Like all treatments, it’s effectiveness depends on the cause of your issues - your gynae should be able to advise.

Life changing for me too!

Mine is booked for March, can't wait! Anybody have any tips for after the procedure?

I had mine and sterilisation a year ago after waiting a year to have it done.

It helped me about 10%.
I had a period after 4 weeks and it was pretty much the same as before
I went back to gynae who shrugged shoulders and said ‘it doesn’t always work’ despite not telling me that at all prior to the op

So now I had the mirena back in because I don’t really have many other options do I! And the mirena is much more effective but the last one fell out in a haemorrhage and this one is very annoying as I am leaking pink fluid for weeks

I need to try the Tranexanic acid and or ibuprofen to see if this will reduce the heaviness.

Thank you ladies. For the majority of you it has worked and some it hasn't.

I'm hoping the Nuffield locally to me, does it privately. As my gynae referral was bounced back to GP, stating we have to do this and that. My biggest concerns is taking tranexamic acid, as my GP specifically noted in a letter to me the side effect is diarrhoea. Previously having a parasite in the past and spending at least a couple of hours a day having diarrhoea. I am now quite paranoid about diarrhoea and freak out thinking it's the parasite again. I just don't think I can put myself through it.
I have had the minera could fitted and last a 18 months but didn't make any difference at all to my periods but increased my water retention and now struggling to shift that still now.
I have to have an ultra scan and will see what that shows before deciding on tablets or privately have the op.
Thanks Ladies for your comments. They really do help.

I had mine done last June and it has worked wonders. I have had some bleeding the last few days, but not much and I still have tranexemic acid left from before, so have taken that.

They said if I do start bleeding again in any big way they will give it another go. I'm happy for that to happen. I had no discomfort at all.

I'm in my mid forties so am hoping nature gets its arse in gear soon and sorts it for me anyway!!

I had it done 2 years ago. Unfortunately it didn't work for me.
I had a complete hysterectomy done in October.
The hysterectomy has changed my life for the better.

Hiya,
I had three c-section youngest is 4 now, always heavy periods they tried coil which fall out and I end up in hospital as too much bleeding etc.
I had ablation 4 weeks ago and having really heavy bleeding again !! So going to see GP tomorrow to put my name down for hysterectomy I can’t take it anymore :(((

I had an ablation a few years back. It was totally life changing I haven't had a period since. I also took Tranexamic acid for a few months beforehand and this did help with the flow to a certain extent. I didn't have diarrhoea I can't remember having any side effects at all.

Life changing! Took A lot of nagging at the GP who didn't seem to understand the impact on your day to day life of flooding periods. Not had so much as a spot since I recovered from the OP. Highly recommend.