Endometrial Ablation - has anyone here had it?

[frankie3]

Wondered if anyone can help me, I am so confused. I have terrible heavy periods and I am booked in to have Endometrial Ablation in a few weeks time but I have been doing a bit of research on some websites and have seen quite a few negative comments about it, including bad cramps, spasms in the back, discharge lasting months etc. It also does not seem to have a very good success rate.

I am now having second thoughts about whether to have this done as it is quite a new procedure and so there is uncertainty about the long tern effects of it.

I do not want to try the Mirena Coil as I am worried about the possible depression side effects, as I am prone to this.

Please, please can anyone help me with this?

Hi Frankie3, sorry to hear you are suffering. You already have a heads up on me as I didn't realise it was a new procedure. I had an investigative laparoscopy in January. They (finally) found endo and performed ablation where the endo wasn't on delicate bits. They apparently want to go back for another round as there are lots of adhesions too. Trouble is, every time you have surgery you increase the risk of adhesions so it can become a vicious circle. Sis is warning against it (had endo 20+ years) but discomfort in one patch worse since Jan so am torn . Having an mri scan later this month to see how deep endo goes so may help me decide. On a positive, periods (apart from 1st) have been better but have also been prescribed pill with break every 3 months so that may also be reason. Inhibits endo growth apparently. Mirena seems to be the current cure all and sis has found it more helpful than 8 laparoscopies but you are right to be wary. I am too squeamish for some reason hence the pill. Endo treatment is still a big experiment and we are the guinea pigs Ask for alternatives or what will happen if you refuse surgery. It may be balancing current suffering against future uncertainty...

I had it done about 4 years ago. All you need to know is that you must have the Novasure method. Other methods (ballooon etc) carry far higher risks of unwanted side effents. My Gynaecologist - Yunus Tayob - was involved in the development of the Novasure device.

It's been absolutely brilliant I have no regrets or reservations at all.

oops - side effects

Here's the thread where I asked for people's experiences www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/245909-endometrial-ablation-any-experience

It's not a new procedure at all.

My sister also had Novasure 5 years ago and has been very pleased with the results (she had fibroids and the coil was a nightmare for her and caused her to get ovarian cysts.

You need to have completed your family to use endometrial ablation as a treatment, though.

There is a good likelihood it will leave you unable to conceive.

Here's another one: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/450621-does-anyone-have-any-experience-of-endometrial-ablation-p articularly-the

And expat is right - no one should conceive after endometrial ablation. It's unlikely that you would be able to, fortunately, but if you did then pregnancy would be very dangerous.

Had this procedure (Novasure) last August......absolutely the best thing I ever had done. Yes the discharge was a pain (6 weeks or so) but the monthly period is so non existent that 6 weeks of a watery discharge was a cheap price to pay. Love the fact I can live my life and not revolve it around when my period arrives... This has just reminded me that I wish I had it done many years ago...suffered for no reason, for too long.

I had the balloon abalation 2 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I had a pelvic repair at the same time so I can't comment on the pain because the TVT was painful, but I had no side effects. I had slight spotting for 2 periods but that's it, no periods at all.

Thanks for all those comments. When I said that it was a new procedure I meant that it has only become really popular in the last 5 years or so, so the long term effects are probably not that well known. I probably did the wrong thing by trawling loads of different websites for people's opinions as I suppose most people only post when they have had bad experiences.

My dr told me that there is 80% chance of it working, and even if it does work it may only last 2-5 years. Also, has anyone had bad period pains since having the ablation?

The procedure destroys the womb lining by heat - hence the clear discharge - it's similar to that with any burn. No pain though. As for 'long term side effects' - about the worst that can happen is that the womb lining can grow back after a few years. Te procedure itself doesn't have an absolute 100% success rate. I don't know whether you could have it done a 2nd time.

In years gone by the only solution to very heavy periods was hysterectomy - this is a piece of cake in comparison.

In the US it's usually done under LA but in the UK mostly GA. In my case it was half an hour from being given the GA to being awake and chatting. Home the same evening.

I had ablation in June last year, daycase with GA, no lenghty discharge or pain following, still have some heavy days but can cope with it now. Gynae advised that it doesnt work for everyone!

yes, last June, omg never looked back.

Also I think I'm probably in the minority here but I had a fantastic success with the Mirena, and after 6+ years of PND it appears to have improved things.

Good to hear some positive stories.

Occuyelf - if you don't mind me asking, how heavy were your periods before, and how bad are your heavy days now?

Still trying to decide!..........