Endometrial Ablation Pro/cons?

My BFF had it done several years ago. All of the women on both sides of her family have a disorder that causes them to have abnormally severe periods starting in their early 30's to where it seriously affects their health. By the time they're 40 the only way to stop it is with a radical hysterectomy.

So when my BFF started showing signs that getting her tubes tied wasn't helping and BCP's weren't working and other treatments weren't helping, they decided to go with the ablation. It's worked amazingly well and in six? eight? years she's gotten one period, maybe two, and only enough to fill half a pad. She's 37 now. She said it was the best thing she ever did for her health.

Looking forward to responses! I'm seriously considering this, but I would actually love to have a full hysterectomy. The thought of NEVER EVER having to have another period is sooooooo fantastic. My mother had one at my age (41) and said it was the best thing she ever did, but that was when they would do them "easier" than they will now. If ablation could stop or almost stop my periods, at least I would be pretty happy. It's such a FREAKING nuisance!

My SIL had the ablation and has had no regrets.

I had the option to have the ablation. My Dr. said sometimes they have to go back and redo it because it does not always "take".

I was DONE with having outpatient this and that and I asked if hysterectomy was a good option. He agreed.

I had a complete abdominal hysterectomy almost 10 yrs ago and NOT 1 REGRET. I LOVE MY LIFE.....IT WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID

Some women have issues with complete hysterectomy due to the emotional tie of everything being final. Foe me... I was FREE!!!

I had none of the side effects I read about and I am SO glad I made the choice. I am on an HRT patch.

My life has been SO much better since my surgery.

Good luck

I had the procedure. Unfortunately I had it several times before it became obvious that it wasn't going to be effective for me.
It's certainly worth a try. Some women do really well with it.
My endometriosis came back with a vengeance after my son was born and I had a complete hysterectomy when he was 15 months old.
It changed my life for the better, for sure.

You've already had your tubes tied so wanting another child isn't an issue.
You may need to try the ablation to see if it's effective before doing something more drastic for insurance purposes.

Best wishes to you.

I had the ablation done in 08....I regret doing it - but as the insurance didn't want to have such a drastic procedure (hysterectomy) done FIRST...to help me...I didn't have ONE period after the ablation - it was LOVELY - however, thanksgiving '10 - i had a period and thought I was in labor - back pains, urgh....

had the hysterectomy Feb 11 - OH MY WORD!! LOVE!! LOVE!! LOVE!!! my life!! No worries! No Problems!! YAHOO!!!

HI NIkki
I had this procedure done 2 days before thanksgiving 2010. I got out of hospital next day and still hosted Thanksgiving and went shopping on Black Friday. I over did it and was in pain. The procedure worked for me, at first.
I had a pelvic ultrasound in January because I was bleeding quite heavily AGAIN. My uterine lining was back and thick already. Dr. was shocked. Needless to say, hysterectomy time when kids go back to school. Wish I would have skipped this step......good luck.

I have two friends that did it. Both said it was the best thing they'd ever done. As soon as I can get insured, I will be doing it as well.

I had Nova Sure done on May 31st and I have a very light period right now that started yesterday. NOTHING like before.

I'm hoping in the coming months they stop completely but this is SO much better than what I use to go thru every month.

Hi Nikki,
I haven't had the ablation done but, I had extremely heavy, painful periods all my life. I had a partial hysterectomy done (through scope). I was the best thing I ever did. When I came out of recovery, my first thought was....WOW! no more pain. Just wanted to give you another option. Good luck with whatever you decide!
M.

Nikki,

I had an endormetrial ablation done about 4 years ago and I will say this was one of the best decisions of my life. I too had extremely heavy periods and had horrible PMS prior to having the ablation done. Now, I still have periods but they are extremely mild. Generally, I have to wipe to even know I am having my period because I just see a little blood on the toilet tissue and sometimes may have to wear a panty liner but that is the extent of it. As far as cramping and PMS, I only experience every 3-4 light cramping but it is nothing like I use to have because I can now easily carry-on with my normal day.My PMS also is basically gone.

Every woman is different, and you may not have a period at all. I would so recommend it to you though. I absolutely have NO regrets. Best of luck to you :)

No cons here, either! I had it done a few years ago and I think it's the best thing I have done. I didn't have any cramping or anything after the procedure. I resumed normal activities the very next day! I love it!

I had it done a few years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I would highly recommend it. The NovaSure surgery was fast and recovery was too. My only bad experience was throwing up from being put under. When I woke up I was out of it for a few hours. Then I came home and our youngest child (who was 5 at the time) hit her head on the back of my SUV and I was back at the ER with her. She had stitches that day and filling out the paperwork was so much fun (not). We also got rid of our pound puppy that day as he bit our oldest daughter the day before. It was a day that I will always remember good and bad LOL. Other then that the surgery was a success.

Hi Nikki!

I had this procedure done in April for the same reasons you list. I put it off as well because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I had a lot of cramping and was pretty sore the first day but that was about it. I took the hydrocodone for the first day and managed fine with Advil the next day. By the third day I was pretty much back to normal other than very tired. It took another few days for me to get over the tired effect. I don't know if that was from anesthesia or what.

Results: Great. I have had 2 periods since which lasted 2 days and were so light I couldn't believe it. My gyno had this procedure done and she said she had two 1/2 day periods and then hasn't had one since. I was hoping for no more periods but I can definitely live with these results as well.

I would definitely do it again and I wish I had done it earlier. I started at 9 and am 48 now. My periods always lasted a week and were very heavy. Before I had this procedure I started having them twice a month. UGH!

If you have other questions, please feel free to pm me. Blessings and wisdom to you as you make your choice.

L.

I had it done last year, it was an easy recovery I was fine the next day, and for the most part fine the day it was done, I slept most of that day. I had terrible periods, couldn't leave the house for 2-3 DAYS, lasting 10-14 days. but in the end it didn't work for me as well as I had hoped... but, like others have said my Dr warned me that it may not work 100%, now I still have long periods but other than 2-3 HOURS at the beginning I can get away with a panty liner the rest of the time. So it is a lot better, but not completely gone. in the end, would I do it all over again if I had known? Yes, because it is a lot better and I really don't want to do the Hysterectomy. So for me it was still a good choice, and I wish I had done it 5 years ago when my Dr first suggested it! so far no long term negative effects/problems.

Great idea... I tried that before eventually having a partial hysterectomy. Both have caused no issues but enhanced my quality of life.

I had the ablation done three years ago and I love it. I know a lady that has periods but I know several that do not. I had a very light period after the procedure and never had another one.

If you are 100 percent sure you are done with having babies then do it. I am older but I had it done and it was the best choise I ever made. No more problems no more periods! I was out of the hospital in less then 4 hours and back to work after the weekend. I did it over 2 years ago and have had no problems what so ever.

No cons! Best thing I ever did for myself. I haven't had a period since. Some people have light periods or spotting, but a lot of people will cease having anything. I can wear white pants now without any worry!!!

I had it done in 2007 for the same reasons, I was a heavy bleeder. The procedure was very easy. I had it done on Friday and was back to work on Monday. I no longer had any bleeding but did still have all the symptoms of PMS, but it wasn't bad. Just the cravings not the cramps. Just recently my periods have started again but they are light and not heavy like the were before. I would totally recommend it. But I was told by my doctor that each woman is different. The outcome can be anywhere from a lighter period to no period at all. Good luck and hope that everything works out for you.

I had it done in December 10, no regrets but it didn't work for me. Out of about 6 friends that I know that have done it me and one other person it didn't work for. My Dr warned me beforehand that some people the lining will grow back into the muscle, there is no way to burn or freeze it away. But they don't know that until they do a hystorectomy and send it to pathology. So now I am debating having a hystorectomy (just my uterus) this fall when the kids go back to school.

As for the ablation, I had some pain that day but once the pain meds kicked in I felt fine, just tired. The next day I was back to normal, using Advil for the pain as needed. I would do it again if it was going to work this time. I still get periods, sometimes only 2 days long but then after a few days it comes back strong and with gushes, that part is driving me crazy!

I had it done several years ago and my only regret is that I didn't have it done sooner.
I was having a period every two weeks, soaking my clothes even using two tampons at a time, backed up by a panty shield, and had cramps so bad I literally could not stand up straight.
After the ablasion, no periods (not even spotting), no cramps, no PMS symptoms, nothing.

I had it done a couple of years ago and haven't had a single regret. I was having really heavy periods and was planning my life around them, carrying extra clothes, and still having to come home to change. It was horrible! The procedure was quick with zero recovery time. I had it in the morning and drove 21 hours across the country that night. I never took even and Advil after the procedure. I had a light watery discharge for about four months, but no spotting, cramping or anything since then. It has been liberating and I feel like I got my life back. I have gained about 30 pounds since then, which is something lots of other women reported, so I encourage you to be extra vigilant with food and exercise afterwards. I'd still recommend it in a heartbeat.