Endometrial Ablation - Elgin,IL

The only thing I regret about mine was that I didn't do it sooner!
I had periods from hell - cycled every two weeks, flooded like the Nile in spring, and cramped so hard I doubled over and vomited.
After the ablation, I had some mild cramps for a few days, and then it was all gone - no PMS, no periods, no pain, and no more possibility of pregnancy! Win on all counts! That was six years ago and I haven 't had any problems since.

Yes, I had the NovaSure Ablation done almost five years ago now and have had absolutely no troubles or issues since. A few times I had some light periods, but for the most part (and at least the last two years) I've had no periods at all.

The only way I knew if I had my period was if I got PMS symptoms or a yeast infection. However, I've since been taking different supplements to help me through peri-menopause (I'm 45), and both of those symptoms (PMS/yeast) have gone away. I believe I am still getting my period, since my tests at my allopathic doctor's office state I am still showing signs of ovulating, but since I don't get a period/period symptoms anymore, if it weren't for that test, I wouldn't know. (So knowing "when" I'm actually in menopause won't be an easy determination. But I'm okay with that.)

I got my NovaSure because when I turned 40 years old I began having very heavy periods with blood clots and they were coming very close together. That was SO not normal for me--my periods were always very erratic, very far apart from each other, and usually lasted about 8 days. Through further testing and an ultrasound, it was discovered that I had hyperplasia of 11 mm--probably from having such erratic/long times in between periods (it would be nothing to have 45, 51, even 61 days in between them, and then have one at 31 days). Thank goodness the biopsy showed no cancer.

For me, having the NovaSure has been nothing but a positive experience. I had found a new OB/GYN--she owned the private clinic I was going to at the time--and she was well-versed and had done many of these procedures. You'll want to make sure your doctor has done a lot of these and that you feel comfortable when talking to her/him about it that you feel the doctor will do a good job. It's a very delicate operation/burn technique that they do.

While my doctor was in there she also checked for endometriosis (since my mom and sister have it--nope, I'm fine!) and also my female organs; ovaries and everything else were very, very healthy. So healthy, in fact, that there was absolutely no reason to yank them out.

I would never, unless I absolutely had to, ever get rid of my female organs. They are needed by the body for the various pocesses your female hormones do as well as to help your body as it begins going through peri-menopause and menopause.

I highly recommend you get or borrow a copy of The Wisdom of Menopause by Dr. Christiane Northrup, MD. She is a holistic Ob/Gyn. I have read her entire book (500+ pages) and highly recommend it for every single woman to read. She talks about all different health issues as they relate to women (because let's be frank, a woman's body is totally different than a man's, yet what we usually hear about is health from a man's perspective/studies are usually done on male bodies). She has an excellent chapter in there that talks about the female hormones in a woman's body and the different challenges that come about when we start aging/going through peri-menopause. She talks about the different procedures out there (IUDs, tubals, NovaSure, Hysterectomy [partial/whole]) as well as ways to take care of symptoms and issues by eating differently and taking different types of supplements.

I've implemented a lot of Dr. Northrup's advice and have noticed a profound difference/change in my own body as I go through this period of change. If you're having any doubts or are unsure of what you should do, please, take some time and look through/read her book. She does an excellent job of explaining things in a way the layperson can understand and offers a multitude of suggestions and (alternative) help.

If you decide against the NovaSure, please, before you decide on a hysterectomy, whether a partial or a full, read Dr. Northrup's book and implement some of her suggestions. Your body needs some help/additional nutritional/supplemental support at this period in your life. Once you correct the imbalances, whether from changes in what you eat/diet, supplements, or nutriceuticals, you'll notice an improvement not just in your female system but your overall body as well. If you take out your female body parts, you'll lose their hormones and how/what they do for your body. Then you'll have to adjust for their sudden lose, which won't be comfortable (watched my mom go through a total hysterectomy. Not fun.).

Last July 2012, after reading Dr. Northrup's book, I looked at her section on estrogen and progesterone and how having too much or too little of either one affected the body. I had all the symptoms of low progesterone, so I went to my Naturopathic Doctor and got some natural, bioavailable progesterone cream. Goodness, I wish I'd have known about my imbalance way back when I was a teenager. I could have lived such a better life, without the horrible, horrible PMS I went through, if I'd just have known I needed some. I am doing great now with just a tiny dab of progesterone cream to my wrist/back of my hand morning and night.

It's like I'm a new person.

I feel for you, because I've been there (and am still there, actually). Do your research, and you'll find what you and your body need to do.

I was just discussing this with my friend who had it done two years ago. She said she couldn't be happier. She had it done due to really heavy periods and cramping. Now she doesn't even get a period anymore. And her hormones are still normal so no issues there. Sorry I don't have more information since I haven't had it done. She made me want to though!!!

My SIL has been very happy after having it done.

As for me, it was an option but I was told by my Dr. that it sometimes has to be done again. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired so I opted for a complete hysterectomy and I have never felt or looked better in my life. For me, the hysterectomy was the best choice... ovaries and all. I did it over 10 yrs ago, have a small abdomiinal bikini incision which you can hardly see now.

Best wishes, whatever choice you make.

Had mine done in November and am very pleased with the results. If you're periods are rough, I highly recommend it. Mine was lasti 2-3 weeks with breakthrough bleeding on top of it for the rest of the time. Now ... If only it had helped the migraines ...

I had mine done July 1, 2010.
It hurt more then expected. I had severe stomach discomfort for at least 4 days. It was like my old C-section scar was hurting, kinda weird as that was 8 yrs after the Csection.
But after those 4 days it has been great. No more periods, I had a very light one in August that year and nothing since. I have not had any issues at all from it, in ANY manner at all.
I am glad I did it, honestly super dee duper glad. I do have one tiny concern that now I won't have "no periods for x number of months" to go by to determine if I'm in menopause.
I say do it. I think those worse case stories were people relating two things and saying one caused the other when it is not proven. If they had the procedure they were having issues, so if all their issues didn't resolve but the main one did they may still blame the rest of it on the procedure.

My doctor suggested I have an ablation done as well, but since I'll be 52 in a few months I assume I'm probably close to menopause and have opted to wait it out. I was really hoping someone had another suggestion. to end periods. Birth control pills?

Hi there~
I'm late to the party but wanted to weigh in . . . I had EA about 3 years ago. I was anemic after my second child, periods were ridiculously heavy and my doctor mentioned this procedure (I didn't want to have a tubal b.c. of the hormone issues that could occur).
I was scared b/c of having to go "under" but I am SO SO glad I did it! To echo the other posters -- light to non- existent periods!!! I didn't experience the pain as the others did but I was sure to schedule on a Wednesday so I took the rest of the week off from work and then rest on the weekend as well.
It sounds like you have a plan of action in place so good luck!!!

I had a tubal ligation in 2005. I had awful cycles afterwards that included severe cramps and a flow that never failed to soil my clothes. I hadnt experienced cramps at all before (I use to criticize people who called in to work) and a flow that heavy since I was a teenager. I got the ablation done in 2007 and it really tapered all that off. I havent experienced any issues or negative side effects.