Seeking Opinions on Endometrial Ablation

I had the same symptoms, had the EA and it was not a bad experience at all - but it only lasted 3 months and I was back to having periods -- they weren't nearly as bad but I was very disappointed; even though I was told a percentage get periods again. Now I just take birth control and skip the period week -- perfectly safe according to my GYN dr. I haven't had a period for over a year - it's great!!

Hi L.,

I just had this procedure done a few months ago and would do it all over again in a heart beat! I had severe cramping and although my period was not as heavy as some people that I had spoken with, it had started getting heavier with each period. Since I've had it, my period has stopped completely and so have the cramps:-) Unfortunately, it doesn't stop all of the PMS symptoms, but my moods have improved drastically-just deal with the breast tenderness once a month when my period is due. As far as the process itself, I don't remember a whole lot. It is an outpatient procedure. I went into pre-op where we did the tons of paperwork-if you take medication-make a list to take with you to give to the nurses. Seems like we had to repeat the list of medications on tons of forms. The surgical center that I went to let my husband stay with me up until the time I went into surgery and he was waiting for me in recovery when I woke up. I really don't remember anything about the surgery. I do remember the nurses asking me to help them transfer myself from one table to another, but I don't actually remember doing that. (they said I did it on my own) I did have a reaction to the anesthesia-woke up with claw marks on my body from itching insanely! I don't remember if what they gave me for that was an injection or something they put in my IV, but it worked really fast. When I was fully awake, they offered me whatever I wanted to drink and it wasn't long until I was getting dressed and on my way home. We filled the prescription for pain meds on the way home, but I never had to use them. I did take some tylenol the next day for cramping, but it was nothing more than the cramping that I dealt with during a "normal" period. The day after that, I was out working in my flower bed with no problems. My doctor did tell me that it affected everyone differently, but that most of his patients were up and about the next day. Just do what your body feels like it can do. My parents live with me and they require a lot of attention, as they're on up in the years and my mom has severe medical problems. I did make arrangements ahead of time to have someone take care of them for 3 days. I have to lift my mom a lot and didn't want to take a chance because I didn't know how the procedure would affect me. I had never heard of this procedure before my doctor discussed it with me, but apparently it's a pretty common practice now days. Like I said, if given the choice, I'd do it all over again without even thinking about it.

Good luck in your decision and the procedure if you decide to have it done.

R.

I had this procedure done in April.I also had my tubes tied at the same time. My discomfort after came from the tubes. They make a small hole in your belly button and they blow air into it. The air gets trapped for awhile and it is uncomfortable. It makes your right shoulder and neck hurt for a few days. I didn't notice any discomfort from the ablation itself. I thought I would bleed after, but I didn't at all. I had a light period for the first 3 cycles after, and then none at all. Now the last two months I have had light spotting at period time, but a panty liner is enough for it. I have read that the younger you are when you have it done, the more likely your uterus will repair itself and will need to be done again. I would do it again though if I had too. It has been wonderful. My periods were so heavy before, I could barely leave the house for the 1st 2 days of my cycle. Tampons were pointless, so swimming was out of the question. I would NEVER do this, but one panty liner would be enough to get me through the entire period now. Of course that would be gross, but I am just trying to make a point.
I know 2 other people who have had it, and one had to get a second D and C done b/c of scar tissue, but is happy. Good luck!

Hi L.!!
Five years ago I had the procedure. I was having heavy, very painful periods that were so irregular!! I would bleed for thirteen days, stop for three, bleed for twenty days, stop for two, etc. It hurt so much that I would come home from work and curl up in a ball on the sofa until I had to get up the next morning for work.
Since I am not able to have children, the doctor finally offered the surgery as a solution and I jumped on it! They usually like to do the surgery on Friday so you have the weekend to recover. The surgery was outpatient and lasted about 45 minutes. They wake you up as you are being wheeled into the recovery room. I stayed there for a couple hours. They sent me home with some pain pills and I slept off and on all weekend. On Monday, I was still a little sore, so I stayed home from work but was back on Tuesday. I was a little sore for the first week. After that, I have never had a period again, even though they say that some have one or two (not as heavy) afterward. It has been wonderful ever since!!!
I did have a coworker whose desk was next to mine that had the procedure done probably a year before I did, and it didn't really change anything for her. I believe that would be an exception rather than the rule, but I know that it does happen.
Good luck and I hope you feel better!!! You've beat cancer (congratulations!!), this will be a piece of cake!

Oh my GOSh!!!!! It will change your life!!!!!!!!!!You must do it immediately!!! I told all my friends and 3 had it done. They all say the same thing. First, know it is nooooo big deal. You walk in and come out in a few hours with nooooooooooo pain and like normal. It is amazing!!!!!!!!!!! I promise,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it is soooooooooooooooo easy and awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make the appointment and know it is noooooooooo big deal. Like going to the dentist. J.

I am a mother of two grown children!! I too had suffered from extremely heavy periods and had them for a week two times a month! I was only 24. Back then I had to make a choice another child and then have a hysterectomy or have the surgery. If I had the opt of E.A. then I would have chosen that. If you can have more children and desire a child with this method then go for it. Take care-B. P

I had the procedure a year ago and it has been a miracle! After my second child, my periods were horrible. Heavy, heavy bleeding, major cramps, 7 to 8 days long. Since I have had the procedure, my periods are very light, cramping no more than something like a gas pain, and only 4 days long!

Make sure your doctor does a thorough internal ultrasound to check for fibroids (sp?) and such. The recovery was a bit more than described, cramping and just general feeling gross, but only for about 2 days.

Best of luck!

Had the ablation in Oct and haven't had any bleeding or period since. They did put me under but the procedure didn't take very long. Was home and had the carpet cleaned (by someone else) by noon. So far am very pleased with the procedure. A little tired the next day, think i probably overdid it the 1st day.

I had this done 3 years ago after my son was born, would have been Jan. 06. I never had the slightes period afterward. In May, over the Memorial holiday i started having excruciating pain in my lower right abdomen. I went the Dr. the beginning of the week and he scheduled sugery for the following day.It turned out that a very tiny part of my uteruas was not scarred (I think that's how he described it) and the blood was trying to flow through my tubes...he aslo said that my right tube had somewhat of a kink in it, so he removed my right tube completely. I have not had any problems since. At that time, he said he'd only seen 2 other instances as mine and those had eventually had hysterectomies. I have still had no other problems after that, but over the last year & 1/2 or so, I began having periods again. At first very light, but within the last few months they are heavier. I think my problem was very rare, and other than that, I have had no complaints, although it does not appear that this is not a long term resolution. Since I don't visit my Dr as i should :( I know, we haven't discussed my options, but I feel the hysteroctomy would be his next suggestion. I hope this helps a little.

I had the same problem 4 years ago. The procedure was easy and I felt fine the next day. Everything was great and worked like it was supposed to for about a year and then the bleeding came back and I had to have a hysterectomy. It bought me a year;s worth of time but in the long run I'd have been better off with the hysterectomy in the first place. Hope yours goes well.

I had mine about 2 1/2 years ago, and it is the best thing I ever did! I didn't have a period at all for about 6 months, and now I have a slight one every month. I also had my tubes tied at the same time. I was sore for a few days, but I think that was from the tube-tying. Good luck!

I had it done a couple of years ago, because I was having extremely heavy periods - using two tampons at a time and still bleeding through my clothes every hour and a half, cramping so hard I would double over.
I was in and out of the hospital in a few hours, had some light cramping for a few days after, and have not had a period since. I'm thrilled - no PMS, no cramping, no more ruined clothes.

My bestfriend and my sister have had this procedure done. My bestfriends was about a year ago and she has had no problems what so ever. She was a little sore after the surgery but they sent you home with pain pills. My sister had hers done in October and she took her pain pills that day of the surgery only. They both say it is great fixed the problem with no complications and no more periods.

I hope this helped
A.