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Original poster

Endometrial ablation and sterilisation

27 replies

Lovemusic33 · 28/04/2021 19:09

Has anyone had both done at the same time?

I have had ongoing issues for years and am finally on the list for surgery (hopefully in the next 10 weeks). I suffer with heavy prolonged periods and was told endometrial ablation would likely be successful, I was told that after having it I would still need to use contraception because getting pregnant would likely end in miscarriage or an ectopic. I have been on the pill for years and I feel that has caused my issues, they also give me migraines so I asked about sterilisation. I am now booked to have sterilisation with the ablation.

Just wanted to hear stories (good or bad) from people that have had either or both surgeries, how did you find the procedure? How long was recovery time? And was it successful?

OP posts:
RandomMess · 28/04/2021 19:18

Yes I did.

The brutal truth is that I reacted badly and was in agony with cramps/spasms. Was absolutely worth it though.

Was told it was a 6 hour discharge, I was in recovery for 6 hours 😂 I remember coming around and screaming and they told me to press the morphine pump!

I stayed in for 3 nights in the end as I puked loads too - again I don't think GA and morphine agrees with me. Although I was via NHS I was in the private hospital due to super long waiting lists - it was a proper break from looking after my 3 very young children in the end.

I then got a mild infection in the lap incision so ended up with 2 weeks off work and one week on half days.

However absolutely brilliant since I always had some very very light spotting when my period was due but just wear black pants.

No more flooding, no more anaemia, no more getting up in the night 2 or 3 times. I can exercise it have me my life back!

It was 10 years ago now, occasionally the "spotting" is a little heavier for a day but I'm peri now.

It was worth it, utterly no regrets although I would have liked more DC, we agreed to stop after #4

Original poster
Lovemusic33 · 28/04/2021 19:25

Thank you, it’s good to hear the good and the bad side. I have had several surgeries before and luckily I haven’t been sick with GA, tbh being sick is my main worry as I am a emetophobe but I usually explain this to them and they give me extra anti sickness meds. I’m not too worried about cramps and pain because I’m in pain 90% of the time anyway. I’m just really hoping it solves my heavy bleeding and that I don’t have to end up having a hysterectomy.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 28/04/2021 19:53

I had a GA 18 months ago and for the first time didn't puke 👌

Original poster
Lovemusic33 · 28/04/2021 21:27

@RandomMess

I had a GA 18 months ago and for the first time didn't puke 👌
Thank you, I have had 2 and have been ok, last one I felt sick but wasn’t sick, tbh it takes a lot for me to puke, I survived appendicitis and the surgery without being sick and recently had salmonella without puking 🤣. I don’t have morphine or codeine because both make me feel very sick so I will request the same with this.
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RandomMess · 28/04/2021 21:47

Yes I told them how every other time I was in a bad way. It was gynae again but no agonising spasms etc this time either.

I think it was the sterilisation that was the issue rather than the ablation all that being pumped full of air/gas to get the tubes clipped.

iamme21 · 28/04/2021 21:50

I had this exact surgery, was fine afterwards, think maybe a week off work?

Unfortunately it was not successful for me and I did end up going on to have a hysterectomy.

RandomMess · 28/04/2021 21:51

Oh iamme that's such a shame Sad was there a specific cause of your issues?

I just had super heavy periods of 7-9 days with 5-6 flooding so all the tablets were no good as you can only take them for 3 days!

Newnamefor2021 · 28/04/2021 21:55

I'm waiting for both surgeries too, but I'll probably wait years on the list. If I could rip my uterus out myself I would.

Truffled · 28/04/2021 21:57

I had the ablation only and for me it was fine. No sickness from the GA and minimal pain afterwards. Came home after a few hours. Not sure it’s helped my periods that much tbh but I do have fibroids. Alongside tranexamic acid occasionally I manage a lot better now.

Original poster
Lovemusic33 · 28/04/2021 22:01

I have a small fibroid but apparently that’s not what’s causing my symptoms, I bleed heavenly, sometimes for 3 weeks at a time making my iron levels drop. I am down as priority for surgery so was told up to 12 week wait but I’m not getting my hopes up.

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Original poster
Lovemusic33 · 28/04/2021 22:03

I kind of wish I was having a hysterectomy, I think it will happen eventually because even if this works it’s not going to stop the crippling ovulation pain I get.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 28/04/2021 22:09

Wouldn't they take your ovaries out though rather than hysterectomy?

Twizbe · 28/04/2021 22:13

I'm plucking up the courage to go to the GP to request this.

My periods are a blood bath since having my DC. They were always heavy but this is just crazy crap now.

Did you have to fight for it to be done?

Iamanunsafebuilding · 28/04/2021 22:13

I had both at the same time and it changed my life! Had 2 weeks off work to recover and my periods afterwards were so much lighter and shorter, as others have said no more flooding, anaemia etc. Was a really positive thing for me.

Thisyearcandoone · 28/04/2021 22:15

I had this 7 years ago and it has changed my life. I have literally run marathons since having it done.

After the op I was poorly, lots of pain and not holding painkillers down. I think I remember it being a bit like trapped wind? Ended up staying in overnight.

I've not had a period since

RandomMess · 28/04/2021 22:24

I had investigations to check for other causes such as fibroids. I took tranexamic acid for a while but they didn't help enough just delayed them flooding as you are restricted to only taking them 3 days.

Then I was referred/put on waiting list.

My Mum had to have a hysterectomy back I the day so I guess it runs in the family along with long pregnancies and huge babies!

RandomMess · 28/04/2021 22:27

I couldn't exercise before.

Had at least a week of agonising mastalgia then at least a week of flooding/heavy bleeding so didn't like to leave the house then at most a week off when I could do stuff before it started again!

Still suffer badly with mastalgia sometimes for 14 days solid 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

MissSmiley · 28/04/2021 23:14

I had the ablation but they wouldn't do the tubes at the same time
Mine was complete and I haven't had a drop of blood since but I also had bad spasms afterwards, like after pains and I had to stay in overnight but it was definitely worth it, thoroughly recommend

MissSmiley · 28/04/2021 23:20

No one else did that day they all just walked out and went home btw

pamplemoussed · 28/04/2021 23:30

Had ablation only - for peri menopausal flooding, anaemia etc. . Was in and out the same day and not had a drop of blood since. Had bad cramps the day of the procedure , worse than period pain , more like mild contractions. But it has been life changing - no regrets.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 29/04/2021 11:30

Lovemusic

I had ablation and my experience is very similar to that of pamplemoussed.

IIRC from your previous writings you still do not have a diagnosis.

If the root cause of your gynae issues is endometriosis then a hysterectomy may not necessarily be the answer either. This is because if endometriosis is cited somewhere else in the body like your intestines for instance a hysterectomy would not address that. If they did decide on a hysterectomy ultimately your ovaries would need to be removed at the same time.

Pain that is cylical in nature certainly needs to be investigated further by a gynae to ascertain the cause. Mid cycle pain can often be seen if endometriosis is present as well.

What has likely happened too is that the pill has merely masked all this so is therefore not the root cause.

Original poster
Lovemusic33 · 29/04/2021 18:34

Gynaecologist is saying that it's not endo, im not sure I agree, I have had biopsy and camera but obviously that only looks on the inside of my womb not the outside, all they found was a small thyroid. I'm hoping the surgery will help but not getting my hopes up. The pill does mask tue symptoms (some of them), when I stop taking them I bleed all the time.

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FluffyBlankie · 02/05/2021 18:25

Had both done about 8 years ago for heavy periods and not wanting any more children. Not a hint of a period since although still get pre-period symptoms like sore bosoms.

When coming round from the GA the pain was deathly and after many doses of morphine and yet still hanging onto the bed rail, feeling like someone had inserted red hot pokers up the foof and tummy, the recovery staff administered a couple of ketamine shots. Took 2 days to feel normal!

Consultant said recovery would take just the weekend but had to have a month off work, couldn’t drive/twist/lift (think post c-section recovery) afterwards. Even though post-op painful very pleased to have had the procedures.

Original poster
Lovemusic33 · 02/05/2021 19:17

Thank you FluffyBlankie, I am worried about being in pain after surgery as I’m not able to take codeine and not great with morphine either. I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to pain, I’m also rubbish at resting. I’m hoping my recovery will be quick and I’m trying to get fit to aid recovery (not sure if it will help). If the surgery works it will be a life changer though so I need to keep telling myself this if I am in pain after 🤣

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Original poster
Lovemusic33 · 02/05/2021 19:22

@Twizbe

I'm plucking up the courage to go to the GP to request this.

My periods are a blood bath since having my DC. They were always heavy but this is just crazy crap now.

Did you have to fight for it to be done?

The fight was getting a referral to gynaecology, it’s taken me a couple years for my gp to listen and then things took longer because of covid. Once I got the referral things have moved really quickly, I had a biopsy taken and a camera investigation straight away (first appointment) and then a ten week wait for results and consultation,I had already discussed ablation with the at my first appointment and was given the choice of trying the coil or going for the surgery (I chose surgery), I was then put on the waiting list as a urgent case due to my iron levels being low and bleeding almost all the time. So things eventually moved pretty fast.
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