Experience or Opinions on Endometrial Ablation

I had the option of the EA but my Dr. told me that sometimes it has to be re-done in a year or more.

I opted for total hysterectomy and it was the best choice I ever made. I am extremely happy.

As for Dr. Kathryn Wood.....I had a very BAD experience with her when I was pregnant in 1994. I switched Dr's in the middle of my pregnancy.

I had mine done almost 10 years ago and it's the best thing I've ever had done. I would suggest asking the doctor some questions like how many has he done, what was the success rate, etc. My doctor was a teaching doctor and excellent. My periods are barely anything. I usually don't have to use any products, but if I do it is only a pantyliner. My breasts do still get tender, but that is nothing compared to the pain and bleeding I was suffering.

I had mine done in 2003. It has been great. When I had mine done, there were two different processes, one way was with a balloon and the other was a kind of netting (I had this one). The latter is supposed to reach more area which in theory should make it more effective because it fans out more like the shape of the uterus. The balloon shape misses corners. The actual procedue takes about 90 seconds and the recovery was easy. Good luck.

I had this procedures done twice..once in 2006 and then 2007...The first time it did "not take" and the second time it was a success per the doctor...I suffered from fibroids with excessive bleeding and very irregular cycles...My doctor's words were that my cycles would be lighter after the procedure...Fast forward to now, I am doing prep work for a hysterectomy...The procedure does not work with all but that is with everything...I have two children an I am not looking to have more so permanent solutions are a blessing for me right now...Just do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions until you are satisfied...Good luck

I had the procedure 6 years ago. It was the best thing ever. Minimal periods with no side effects...who could ask for more!!!

Hi there - I had this done in June. They do a biopsy prior to the procedure and that was what really shook me up. It came back normal, but it was very uncomfortable and afterwards I almost passed out. They tell you that you may "spot" for 2 weeks or so after the procedure, but I was more like 4 weeks. I have not had my period for August so I cannot say how that is just yet.

I hope this helps - good luck.

R. I just had a hystorectomy last year, due to endometriosis. I had the option of doing the ablitoration procedure but my doctor who delievered both of my children adn knew me very well, said that it was a 50/50 chance it would help and get rid of it all. I went ahead with the laproscopic hystorectomy instead and now I have no period and feel great. They left my ovaries so I do not have to take meds or hormones and they took out all of the endo! It was very easy two days of rest which I was like hey this is not so bad someone else is doing laundry for a change and it ws not at all painful/ I highly recommend this route if you can do it to make sure it is a successfull procedure and that you don't end up having to go in later and have this done anyways. Check it out on Web MD that may help you understand the pros and cons a little bit better too. Good Luck
K. Griser

This procedure changed my life. I was having terrible cramps and very heavy periods. My doctor gave me the choice of having EA or a hysterectomy. I chose the less invasive procedure, and it has worked wonderfully for me. I haven't had a period (or cramps)in years. No overnight hospital stay was involved. I went home and rested for the remainder of the day (probably took some meds for pain) and was back to work in a couple of days. Good luck!

I had mine done 2.5 years ago. I was 29 at the time, a little over a year after our second and final was born. My period had become so heavy and often that I would bleed for seven days, not for seven days and then again for seven days. I would go through a pad in about an hour and a tampon in about thirty minutes. I was exhausted and could barely move off the couch for two weeks out of the month.

I decided to have the surgery becuase insurance covered at 100% and my obgyn was not ready for me to have a hysterectomy becuase my migranes are directly related to my estrogen levels. He did not want to make everything worse until we tried this first.

Overall I am extreamly happy, for 2.5 years I have only bled for two days a month and then only for a few hours each day. I bleed for about six hours on the first day and about 2 hours on the last day. I still have all the hormone rushes, I am crabby, angry, bloated, tired, but not as bad, and my headaches still show up, but I do not bleed.

Waking up from the surgery, I was in the most pain of my entire life. I could not beleive how bad it hurt. Morphine was not working, finally the nurse called my obgyn and he switched my meds to stadol which finally eased the pain. I bled for six weeks after my surgery, but then it was all done.

I will probally still have a complete hysterectomy before I am 40, but for now, we are holding strong.

Hi R.:

I had a uterine ablation last October (is that the same thing? I'm guessing it is). I have been totally happy with the outcome. You may not see complete results right away, but after a few months, you will be dancing in the streets!

Also, there are several different ways of doing the ablation. I would totally do the research online. There is one with a probe that just 'probes' around, hitting and/or missing areas. There is a 'balloon' procedure (which I had), where the doc fills the balloon with hot something until it expands completely to fill in all crevices.

Good luck!

I had the ablation done in 2003 when my twins were 9 months old. It worked for about 6 months and slowly got worse. By June 2004 I had a hysterectomy. It was the best decision I ever made. I have had no problems since then and have been a much happier woman/mom. I do not regret trying the ablation, but I am glad that I had the hysterectomy.

Good Luck with your decission.

R.,

I had this done just over 5 years ago and while the procedure wasn't 100% successful due to the shape of my uterus (had a few miles on it after 6 children), it reduced my monthly cycle to a very manageable situation and significantly reduced cramping.

This was in the early stages of use in the US and as I understand it and I experienced a pretty easy and safe procedure - and considering the debilitating cramps, clotting and pretty much being housebound with heavy bleeding for 4 or 5 days each month that it eliminated I am super happy.

Since it doesn't remove parts of the uterus and ovaries that produce hormones you don't have mood swings, etc.

As a little bonus...since they couldn't get the procedure 100%, the doctor and his assistant did some "revirgination" which they didn't specify or bill me for - but wow was that ever a big surprise and enhancement to my sex life. If you can get a little tucking and tightening done while they're "in the neighborhood", go for it!

I had an ablation done over 2 years ago and it has been great. I still occassionally feel light cramping when I would typically be having my period but it is very minor compared to what I had. The doc told me there was no guarantee that I would not have periods anymore but I haven't had one since the procedure was done so it has been wonderful!

Hi R., I had mine done July 07 and I highly recommend it. I was having heavy bleeding every month for 7 to 8 days and now I spot for about 1/2 day once every 3 or 4 months. It has changed my life. Good Luck :)

I had this procedure done in May 2007 and I love it. I can not complain. I have not had a cycle since and when it's that time of the month I can tell but other than that I would recommend this to anyone.

Thanks,
R.

I had the Novasure procedure done approximately 1 month ago and I still have not had a period. I had no complications and very light spotting for about 2 days. I didn't need pain medication after the day of surgery and took an antibiotic as a precaution. I would highly recommend this procedure after deciding to have no more children. My periods were seven days long every 22 days. I wish I had done this procedure sooner. Good Luck in your decision.

I just had this done about three months ago. I have nothing but positive things to say about it. I had it done at my doctor's office. They put me under and the whole procedure took about 90 seconds. I got my first "period" which was nothing more than some spotting that a normal panty liner could handle. I'm so happy that I had it done. Good luck! Any more questions just let me know. :-)

Hi Rosie, I went through years of HEAVY periods and taking iron for anemia. My GYN at the time offered no alternative than a hysterectomy. We moved to Frisco, and I went to Dr. Kathryn Wood. She couldn't believe that no one had told me about the thermal ablation. I went for it in 2004! I had the balloon procedure. It was 100% successful, to the point that I have not had one period (evidence of, that is) since. It was outpatient, with minimal post-op discomfort - cramping. I am so thankful that I was able to resolve my issues with this minimally invasive procedure vs. major surgery! Hope this helps! I'm believing God's BEST for you! D.

I'm back in 2010...I went thru menopause sometime in 2006 and NEVER even knew it. I was using the Wild Yam Cream, so NO HOT FLASHES! When I had the FSH done that showed I was post-meno - Dr Wood started me on bio-identical hormones - wouldn't be without them! Just had my WWE & all is WELL!

This is not a cure. There is no cure; not even a hysterectomy can guarantee that you won't ever have symptoms again. It just reduces the chances. I had ablation done in April 05. It reduced my symptoms long enough to conceive again. Now I am having worse symptoms than in 05. I want one more child, so I go to my doctor tomorrow to discuss how to manage my symptoms so that I can conceive again. If you're done with kids as your profile suggests, you should discuss all the possible treatments and how they affect the delicate balance of your hormones! You want to come to terms how you will feel physically and emotionally before you make any decisions. I am happy with how my doctor and I have managed this disease so far and feel as though I was well-informed every step of the way. I wish you the best of luck and a pain-free future!!

R.,

Dr. Christiane Northrup speaks on the procedure for treatment of heavy bleeding and fibroids:

http://www.drnorthrup.com/womenshealth/healthcenter/topic...
and
http://www.drnorthrup.com/womenshealth/healthcenter/topic...

The website Women to Women is also a good resource, as this is Dr. Northrup's former private practice:
http://www.womentowomen.com/hysterectomyandalternatives/e...

Good luck.

Hello, I had this procedure done in June 2006 and it worked for about 8 months and I started having problems again and in Feb of this year I had to have a hysterectomy. My doctor did tell me that the ablation was NOT guaranteed to last forever but it was the chance i took. I wish i had just gone with the hysterectomy to begin with.

this is just my experience. Good luck to you.

EVERYONE'S experience with the ablation is going to be different, because no 2 bodies are the same.

I had my ablation last September and have not (knock on wood) had a period yet.

If you insurance will cover it, get it done!

I had an endometrial ablation last October. My doctor is very aggressive w/ the procedure and does a D&C prior to the ablation. I ended up w/ a uterine infection that I battled for months before I had ANOTHER D&C in April. He never said it was a complication from the ablation, but I questioned it. I have not had any problems since April and have not had a period, which is wonderful! My advice to you would be to make sure your doctor prescribes antibiotics after the procedure as a precaution against infection.

My mom had this done. They ruptured her uterus when they went in. Unfortunately, they didn't have consent signed to do a hysterectomy, so they waited 3 weeks for her to recover, then when back in and did the hysterectomy.

Hello R. ~

I had this procedure about 3 years ago and I highly recommend it. I felt better and gained more energy than I would have thought possible. I still have a light period, but that is much better than before. I had been anemic for many years due to excessive blood loss during my period. After this procedure, my blood count went up quickly and I had more energy. All Moms need more energy! Good luck to you.

Wow, I'm surprised to see all the negative experiences here. I did a lot of research before I had mine, and it seemed to me that the balance was that most women were very happy with it. Maybe the results depend somewhat upon the reason why you're having it done, or maybe the skill of the doctor performing it. I just had mine done a month ago and, while of course it's too early to tell long-term results, it has been textbook perfect so far. I had the Novasure procedure, in my doctor's office, and I was in and out of there in an hour or two. I was a little groggy the rest of the day from the anesthesia, but otherwise I really had no pain or cramping or problems at all. It's typical to have a light discharge for two weeks or so, and that is now gone. My doctor said they got 95% of the lining, which my friend who is a nurse said is really good and that I shouldn't have much, if any, periods in the future. Feel free to contact me off-board if you have any more specfic questions. Good luck!