To think I’ve just done the best thing ever!

[Millionnewnames]

I’ve had awful painful heavy periods for about 20 years. The sort where you can’t attend a wedding, you miss an expensive exam and you have to take those bloody awful utovlan pills while you’re on holiday if you fuck the dates up. Ive been blue lighted to hospital after heamorghing and had transfusions and told to ‘ask my GP to refer me again’ . But on Friday , after years of being fucked about I used every cent I had plus a big loan from my youngest child’s dad ( he’s a legend ) and went to a private hospital to have an ablation . After hysteroscopy , novo sure and the whole ‘burning your womb out’ thing, I’m assured that I’m unlikely to even have another period , much less almost bleed to death again. I’m free to turn up to stuff , can probably ditch the iron supplements and can generally get on with life . I’m furious on behalf of other women who aren’t as lucky as I am though, why the bloody hell can’t the 30% of women suffering from adenomyosis, endometriosis, fibroids and all the hormonal shit that does this to us get proper care and this treatment ? It’s quick, cheap , low downtime and life changing. I’ve lost so much life and opportunities due to my fucking obnoxious uterus. I’d love to see more women have access to this. Earlier. Cheaper. Sooner. Why do We have to suffer so long? Why is it ok? Just because we are women? Why did I have to find the money to pay for it privately ? I’d be left at least another 2 years if it was on NHS. It’s lost me jobs, exams, driving tests , it’s nothing okay to be bleeding through the biggest sanitary protection you can find and it’s not okay to be so anaemic you can’t function. I’m sorted now. I’m not leaving everyone else behind though. We need to fix this .

Please could I ask how much it cost and how long it takes to recover from the procedure?

I am 41. Have one DC, no desire to have more. Happily single. Periods are the worse really don't think GPs take heavy painful periods seriously, they just see it as part of being a woman. Last time I went I was told it was early menopause...that was 4 years ago and still no menopause. Really can't deal with periods each month.

Also where you under anaesthetic and totally knocked out during it?

I had the same op 7 years ago and can agree it is totally and utterly life changing. I do have the occasional period now but it's so light I could get away with no sanitary pads at all if I wanted to. Congrats on your new life op.

Well done OP. You're totally right though, women deserve better care.

Mine was life changing too!! Was sterilised at the same time and I was unwell for 3 weeks post up - still absolutely worth it!

YANBU OP. I’m so pleased that you have managed to have your treatment but you are right, it should be so much easier.

Enjoy your newfound freedom!

I had this on NHS, totally amazing and life changing.

I did mine under private healthcare, so not sure of the cost. Recovery was a day or two at the most, that was mostly just feeling tired and groggy from the general anaesthetic. I was totally knocked out for the op, I went in a day patient, op was booked in for 9.30am and I was back home by 7pm the same day.

This sounds amazing. How much did it cost? Will it affect your menopause? How expensive? And please tell us that the legend wjo is your youngest daughter's father is also your partner.

I got mine zapped at the start of February abd it’s been life changing.

I went private for a consultation as the NHS put me on hold cos Covid. The consultant then referred me back into the nhs and did the procedure in a few minutes with no GA. In and out in an hour, pardon the pun 😃

Congrats @Millionnewnames 😊

@bonfireheart

Please could I ask how much it cost and how long it takes to recover from the procedure?

I am 41. Have one DC, no desire to have more. Happily single. Periods are the worse really don't think GPs take heavy painful periods seriously, they just see it as part of being a woman. Last time I went I was told it was early menopause...that was 4 years ago and still no menopause. Really can't deal with periods each month.

I'm not sure if this is going to be relevant so my apologies if not. I take Cerazette all through the month and haven't had a period in 9 years. I'm 46 and my surgery said I can carry on through menopause. Is that an option I wonder?

So mine was free, by outpatient appointment, and really no recovery time. I was a bit tired.

Thank you @ginswinger will have a Google.
My mum used to have awful period (different GP to me) and didn't get much help from doctor. Mine doesn't seem interested. DD13 has super heavy periods and honestly when I told GP he acted like he'd never heard of heavy periods before.

I had novasure 2 years ago and haven't had a period since. I had it on nhs and I only waited 12 weeks. Absolutely life changing for a very simple procedure.

Although it's not suitable if you want to have any more children. And I am told it can have a lifespan of 5 years and periods can return.

This is what I need. I’m desperate for something, anything to take away the dizziness, nausea, headaches, constant cramps, PMDD and associated symptoms, the bleeding through 2 night time sanitary towels, my PJs and a towel at night. Much less the constant “resets” I go through when my blood sugar/iron levels drop dangerously low, to the point where I collapse and can’t actually function. Recently my fingers have been turning grey through anaemia. I seriously hope this is the answer, OP, thank you!

I second @ginswinger with Cerazzete. Thought i never had bad periods. I think most mini pills stop period?

The care is abysmal at times

I had one done about 17 years ago. One of the greatest things I've done. Made my life so much easier. I'm glad you were able to get it done, you will love it.

Cerazette was awful for me, I can’t do hormonal medication.

I have to use five of the black always biggest longest towels overnight in an origami effect. I’m quite good at this now sadly. I’d love anything to help but I’m disabled and have a complicated medical situation so doctors won’t touch me unless I’m (literally) dying. I’m feeling like I’m getting close though, I’m due on any time and dreading it. At least it wasn’t last week in the heat! I’m terrified to sleep most months!

I’d got to the tena pants stage along with a menstrual cup and night towels. Horrific

I'm so glad you found something that worked for you, and absolutely - if you're sure you don't want kids in the future this should be so much easier to get!

Thankfully, for me, the coil was a game changer. Went from literal flooding (and anaemia to go with it) every month to random spotting whenever (which is inconvenient but a darn site better!) and "normal" periods. Yet no one actually suggested this, was just something I decided to try for BC.

Don't guys get the snip for free? Do girls not get it the same way if they want to?!

@ToffeePennie

This is what I need. I’m desperate for something, anything to take away the dizziness, nausea, headaches, constant cramps, PMDD and associated symptoms, the bleeding through 2 night time sanitary towels, my PJs and a towel at night. Much less the constant “resets” I go through when my blood sugar/iron levels drop dangerously low, to the point where I collapse and can’t actually function. Recently my fingers have been turning grey through anaemia. I seriously hope this is the answer, OP, thank you!

I have really heavy periods (none of my friends have it this heavy so I assume I’m the minority, in that I don’t bleed averagely)

There’s no way I could go to bed with a towel only on. I have to use a night time towel and the most absorbing tampon. I usually wake up in the night as I can feel it’s full so have to chance the tampon. This lasts about 3 nights then it calms down.

Could you not try a tampon in the meantime? I can almost certainly say that it’ll be more absorbing than a pad?

It's shot that you should have to throw money at it, but you do do get resolution.

Not going to lie. I’ve had to resort to using pampers as a pad.

What is this procedure and how do I sign up!

Good for you @Millionnewnames, issues for females are so downplayed or outright ignored and disrespected.

A friend has endo, suffers horrifically. She's completed her family, wants a hysterectomy, but can't get one 'because she might split with her DH and want more children in the future'. No she wants a normal pain free life.

I had problems with pain during intercourse after my first DC, difficult birth, 3rd degree tear. Went to the drs 7 months pp explained we were trying for dc2, got given numbing cream and a warming for my DH to wear a condom or he'd get numb too . From a FEMALE Dr

I'm fed up of women's issues being belittled and washed over.