Endometrial ablation, which one you have done?

[MistressMouse]

Sorry if I'm going over old ground on this topic.
Am hoping to get an EA done soon for flooding and generally awful periods. Seeing consult gynae on Friday.
So my question is which one did you get,
Microwave or
Thermal ballon.

And how was it for you, recovery wise and longer term?

I'm 46 and have been told by GP that I'm in official menopause (despite regular heavy bleeds and flooding) and pain that would break my heart.

Thanks.

I don't know which method they used (I didn't realise there was a choice!) but it was straightforward day case surgery - one day's recovery due to having a general anaesthetic and then more or less normal the next day.

Sorry - longer term it has dealt entirely with the period pain, the periods are no worse nor better and the endo has started to grow back 5-6 years later. However, I had it to improve fertility rather than because of the endo specifically.

I don't know which method they used, but it was the best thing I have ever done.

I was in quite a bit of pain afterwards because I have severe SPD and back problems, but apart from that the recovery was fine.

I had mine done 6 years ago, my periods are gradually getting heavier now but nothing like they were before. When it was first done I didn't notice them.

I had a novasure ablation. Recovery wise I was fine.
I had it done at the same time as a cyst removal but only had painkillers for a few days. I bled lightly for a week-10 days(can't remember exactly). At first my periods were only 1 day long with hardly any blood. Now 3 years later they are heavier than that and last 4 days or so but there's no clots like before and I usually only need to empty my mooncup 3 times each cycle.

Oh. Interesting. I thought when you were "ablated" that the bleeding stopped forever. Mind you if I am 46 and officially in meno, then I don't have a lot of bleeding months/years left so it becomes academic.
Not sure which one my hospital does, wanted to arm myself with pros, cons, good, bad and indifferent!
Cheers y'all.

My gynae told me it wasn't a permanent procedure and that gradually over time my periods would get heavier and that 5-10 yrs down the line I may need another one

I had thd thermal balloon. I wasn't aware that it would grow back and ended up with a hysterectomy within five years.

I would have taken the hysterectomy instead of tbe ablation if I had known, tbh. It stopped the bleeding completely but I ended up with much worse problems.

Cocolepew, can I ask what were your complications? PM if you prefer. I have a lot of internal adhesions and scarring from old endo, ectopic pregnancy, c section and ruptured bowel. The EA might stop bleeding but expose me to other complications.
Thanks.

I had undiagnosed endo, I found out that I had massive scarring at an MRI before my hysterectomy.
I ended up with adenomyosis which is internal endo, I didnt have any more periods, but the blood pooled into the muscular wall of my womb. By the time of my op my womb was the size of an eight mobth pregnancy, I couldn't work for a year. It was like having a breezeblock inside me.

I was offered a hysterectomy or the ablation and Ithought it was better to go with the ablation, I had a bladdder repair at the same time so was still off for 8 weeks.

Maybe I was naive but it didn't occur to me that the lining would grow back.
I do blame the ablation for my later gynae problems but that is my personal opinin

That's interesting. It raises questions for my gynae to answer. Appreciated!