endometrial ablation anyone?

[milliemum1]

Just wondering what anyones experiences/advice are? Can only seem to find really old threads and was curious if this is still being offered to anyone. Usual set-up here, 46 very peri-menopause and blooming horrible periods after 2 children. Every 25 days, flooding, clotty, go on for a week etc. Have tried the pill, want to stay clear of the Mirena coil, even tried a few months of flipping' HRT. Really not happy with any extra hormones, can only just about cope with the ones I've got! Be great to hear what women in similar predicament have tried. It seems that there doesn't seem a great deal out there for us. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

I had one. It totally saved my life. I had a similar period profile to you (fainting from the heaviness, flooding through tampons and pads, if I had to stand up on the train, I'd know I would have leaked by the time I arrived etc. etc.)

had the op, have barely used a pantyliner every month since then - took a few months to settle

it really did change my life and I wrote a letter to the gynae 6 months later to thank him!

I had one nearly 2 yrs ago. Have not had a period since.

I had one about 3 years ago and it has changed my life. I used to have flooding for 10 days every month and the pain was hideous. I still get some pain for around 2-3 days but the blessing has completely stopped (took a few months). I have endometriosis too so it was getting ridiculous, clotting etc like you say. I would ask for it if possible - it has made a massive difference and I'm so glad it was offered to me. The procedure itself was fine too, no problems at all.

Bleeding not blessing!

I had a good experience too. I was housebound for several days of my period, dangerously anaemic etc. Not had a period since my ablation 4 years ago and no other effects at all.

I had one just over a month ago, I've been a bit unlucky as they couldn't complete it for 2 reasons,one the womb was too large for the instruments (13cm) and two it had to be stopped as the difference between fluid in and out was too high.

Since then I've had one period and it was more or less as bad,though not as clotty I did still have flooding.

I've now been put into fake menopause to see if that helps with a possibility of repeating the ablation in 6 months, but everyone I've spoken to its been a life changer....

Wow ladies! Thanks so much for all you replies. So it really is still offered, thats great news. My GP never mentioned that it was an option so it'll be so good to go into my next appointment with some researched information. They were really trying to push the Mirena but I guess that's inevitable with NHS cuts. Just out of interest, what method of eblation was used? I've read about the balloon one but that sounds a bit old now. Was it painful or nothing to be scared of? Once again thanks much for your replies. Makes things feel so much better when you know people understand what you're going through. :))

Sorry to hijack op (I'm in a similar boat although a bit younger.). I am under a gynaecologist and have had an exploratory hysteroscopy so next step is ablation.

Can I ask those who have had it - did you have it under general or not?

I had one just over 15 years ago. I had been booked in to have it under local but was pushed to have a GA (by the gynae) when I got there. Not sure why - I think they might have bad some bad experience with patients having a local and not having a great time with it.

Anyway, it did help but not nearly as much as I had hoped. I reckon it reduced the problem by 40-50% but periods remained a problem until I had the Mirena fitted.

They tried the mirena etc with me as well OP, they'd tried everything before eventually offering the operation.

It's a while ago now but it was with a hysteroscope (I think) and usually they'd do it under general but because I have lung disease they did it under a spinal for me. It was fine, no pain and only a little soreness and tiredness after.

I don't think it was the balloon thing, don't remember anything like that mentioned. I know it was the TCRE procedure. It really made a huger difference than I can say.

I had one around 10 years ago. Absolutely no problems since; it transformed my life. 10 years on I now get some slight spotting, but nothing major.

I had it done under general anaesthetic at a local private hospital and got home the same day.

I would recommend it to anyone.

I couldn't tolerate the mirena so this was the last chance option for me before hysterectomy. Was also told that they sometimes repeat the procedure after around 2 years if the bleeding remains heavier than desirable. I'm around 2 years post my first one and it's not a problem yet. I actually can't remember fully but I think I had mine under general - the surgeon said they preferred it that way (but it does take you longer to recover). I had a few other procedures done at the same time.

I'm booked to have ablation next month. Apparently my surgeon will be able to tell me on the day which method they'll use as they all have different preferences (!)

I had horribly heavy periods so tried Mirena. 6 months later I was still bleeding so went on to Cileste pill with no breaks as well. This stopped the bleeding for a couple of years but it's starting to come back, painful and up to 2 weeks at a time although not too heavy yet (unsurprisingly seeing how many hormones I'm on!)

I'm having the ablation / novasure and a new Mirena fitted at the same time. Hoping this will knock it all on the head until menopause...

I was originally supposed to have the novasure but the discovery of fibroid put paid to that! I had mine under a spinal block as I have an underlying heart condition so it was safer, went home same day.

I had novasure ablation at the beginning of April, same reason, heavy bleeding etc. I had the mirena first which just did not work at all for me, bled virtually every day for 10 months so my gynae suggested an ablation. So far so good, periods since last about 48 hours and are very very light. It’s early days but I’m hoping it stays like this... it was done under general anaesthetic, had some cramping when I came round (bit like after pains) but fine next day.