Endometrial ablation

[Stickytoffeepuddings]

I've been recommended the above treatment due to heavy periods and side effects assumed due to them, such as low iron, feeling exhausted, weak and shakey, significant weight loss, symptoms have been increasing over the last year. At the same time as advised procedure I will be sterilised, I'm 41 and mostly feel that my family is complete though did long for another child but due to marriage breakdown that never happened, wanting to hear other people's experience of this, how successful, if side effects etc. I have had other treatments for the last 12 months, mostly different types of contraception (non have agreed with me due to my liver not liking synthetic hormones because of a condition in my last pregnancy) and also tablets to try and help me clot better, as the hospital said they feel they have exhausted all other options!

My friend had it done last year (and sterilised at the same time) said it was the best thing she has ever had done, she hasn't had a period since.

I was due to have it done in June but chickened out at the last minute due to terrible anxiety. I feel I have cut my nose off to spite my face! I have gone back on the waiting list now!!

I had it done a few years ago and periods so much better now. Only side effect was the awful discharge for a week or two after.

I had one in May this year, done under GA. Recovery-wise it wasn't too bad. I had some cramps immediately afterwards which settled down before I even left hospital. I had a month of bleeding, starting with moderate bleeding for a few days then settling into very light bleeding/watery discharge.

Unfortunately it hasn't worked as well as I hoped it would. I have had some improvement (I now only get one day of horror show bleeding per period rather than two or three and the pain level is much reduced) but not enough that I'm happy or that it doesn't stop me doing things on the days it is heavy. I'm going back to see the consultant early next year and if things haven't magically improved I'll be having another one.

The same thing happened to my mum but the second one sorted things so I'm still hopeful I won't have to resort to a hysterectomy.

Funnily enough we had the same surgeon, I think he must be a bit conservative the first time he goes rummaging around in there.

I'm waiting to have one and I posted a thread fairly recently and got some helpful replies. I'll try and find it and post the link.

www.mumsnet.com/TalkTalk/general_health/2766562-Endometrial-ablation-recovery-time

Thank you all very much for your responses, read old thread too, I really hope it works for you Molly

I had on every two years ago, best thing I ever did. I'm 42 now and I am not anaemia any more, for the first time in my life.

The op was fairly straightforward, no pain afterwards although I was shattered and very sleepy for two days after because of the general anaesthetic. I had watery discharge for a couple of weeks, nothing too tough to deal with.

My periods stopped for about a year, then they came back but are extremely light compared to before - I could easily get away with one normal size pad for the whole day now, instead of night time supers plus mooncups every 2 hours as before.

Periods do not affect my life any more like they used to. It was very straightforward and I would say go for it.

Just bumping this thread as I'm hoping to have this procedure done - I'm 13 months on Mirena and despite GP singing it's praises I hate it! Periods while lighter are still there, breakthrough bleeding is constant, back pain, weight gain, exhaustion, spots... no thanks. So hoping to get EA done and very happy to read good stories! Any other advice appreciated... I have terribly heavy and frequent periods all my life and only child birth sorted it out for a few months

I had an ablation in September last year - I've included my threads so hope they work.

Sadly it didn't work for me and I'm waiting for a hysterectomy

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/menopause/2745038-I-had-an-endometrial-ablation-this-morning-hoping-it-works

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/menopause/2772225-3-Oct-ablation-3-Nov-bleeding-again

Anecdotally: my friend had it done last year and swears by it, she says it has changed her life. Her complaints were similar to yours prior to the procedure. No side effects in her case, she rested for a few days and then was fine, the anticipation was apparent the worst part.

Not much info there but hers was definitely a success story.

Thank you very much and I'm sorry it didn't work BG. I think I'll give it a go... I'm 43, finished having babies and according to tests am some way off menopause yet! So really hope this works x

I had it done. It changed my life
Really wasn't awful. Quick recovery too
Worst bit was the pessery they give you to open the cervix

I think mine failed because of fibroids. Another consultant has since told me that ablation rarely work on women who have fibroids. The uterine lining needs to be bump free for it to be effective.

I'd definitely give it a shot, I wasn't ready to have a hysterectomy either last year so it was the next option to try.

Now I'm anxiously waiting for my hysterectomy
Good luck OP and let us know how you go on

Thanks again. I've had a scan so no fibroids or irregularities... I've literally just had horribly heavy periods since the age of 14 but a combination of the Pill and then pregnancy/ BF kept it under some sort of control. Worse than ever now though and am sick of drugs now though and really want to try this. Thanks for your help!