Endometrial Ablation - Mount Pleasant,SC

I have not personally had the procedure done, but one of my very good friends had the same problem as you. Not being able to leave the house for a few days every month. As she was done having babies also, she had it done. She has had great results. Down to mostly no period at all most months. Good luck, whatever your decision.

Yes, it really helped me. I was experiencing much of what you are now. A year and a half ago I had this done. It was an outpatient procedure with very little recovery time. I did not experience any negative side effects. My periods have been very light - almost nothing, ever since. This definitely improved my quality of life!

Had mine in Feb. 2010. My life is 1000x easier. There is still cramping that is very painful, but the bleeding is so much better. I used to have to take bathroom breaks every 20-30m and go through a pad and tampon each time. Now i can go an hour between breaks.

BTW. Be sure that you are taking extra iron pills so that you don't become anemic.

Hi there-

I had this procedure done two years ago and it was the best thing I have ever done!! I had the type of procedure done with the mesh, I forget what it was called. Took care of the fibroids and the three week periods. Recovery was a breeze and I haven't had a period since. Truly life changing!! Please let me know if I can help.

C.

My friend had it done and it worked wonders for her! I considered it, because of heavy bleeding, but I had fibroids and it doesn't work well when there isn't a smooth surface inside to work with. So I had a hysterectomy instead. If you don't have fibroids and your doctor recommends it, I say go for it.

Yes, I have. It was the best thing I ever did. Light periods and a since of freedom. The procedure is a outpatient procedure that takes about an hour. The first couple of weeks after the procedure you'll experience some light discharge, but after that you are as free as a bird. I would recommend it to anyone who has reached their limit in childbearing.

As some have said, it doesn't work for everyone...I did not have the procedure as I had 5 fibroids...I instead had a procdure known as resection of adenomyosis..It is major surgery that removed the fibroids, and the areas of the uterus making the adenomyosis. I do not regret my decision..I would have had to have a hysto otherwise, and my husband and I wanted me to keep all my "parts". The diagnosis of adenomyosis is usually given after the hysto when the pathalogist has looked at your uterus. Feel free to contact me if you feel you want more info...I would love to help you, or anyone with this awful disorder...

If you are sure you are done having children, and your doctor recommends it, then definitely consider it.

The final straw for me is when I went to a party with a friend and bled on the hostess's couch! I was mortified!

Had the procedure about 2 years ago and haven't had a period since. Still have the typical PMS symptoms, so don't expect it to fix that! But not using hormones long term, or having a full or partial hysterectomy is a big plus. This procedure is not surgery, there is no cutting or scarring, and the risks are less too. I did have cramping and nausea for about 8 hours after the procedure, but next day was like nothing ever happened. Discharge for me only lasted about 2 weeks, and was light, not at all like a period.

GOOD LUCK!

I actually work in an OB/GYN office that does this procedure in the office. We have had much success with this procedure. As with all procedures though, everyone's experience and outcome is different. The majority of women do well and have no bleeding. Some women experience occasional spotting and for some it doesn't end their periods at all. These are few but they do happen. If you have a family history of female cancer I personally wouldn't do this procedure. I had a never ending period after my second child and my physicians tried to get me to do the ablation. My grandmother had endometrial cancer and I did not feel comfortable leaving my uterus so I opted for a hysterectomy. I'd say the ablation is a great option for most women and it's outpatient and you can recover in a weekend. Hope this helps

My mom had it done a few months ago and she was having the same problem as you are. So far, she is doing much better. It was a very easy procedure without a long recovery. I think I would consider having it done for myself if I started having problems.
~J.

YES! it was great, I did this instead of hysterectomy in 2004, I would recommend it to anyone who has heavy bleeding and/or severe pain. It worked for me and I am so much healthier for it. There are several methods, mine was a metal tool controlled by a computer, determining how far into tissue to go. I am one of only 10% whose periods return, but they are NOTHING compared to what I was living with prior to procedure (10 days of heavy bleeding, clots, & severe pain every 2 weeks). I did it on a Friday and was back at work on Monday with now restrictions. Best wishes & Good Luck

I had an edometrial ablation last November for the very same reasons - i was bleeding for 7 or 8 days every two weeks with two or three of those days where i coudn't leave the house - couldn't sleep overnight without changing - My procedure (Novasure) was in November 2009 - it's now September and I have not had 1 drop of blood since the procedure- it has been amazing - the best thing i've ever done for myself. So liberating!

I had the procedure done in the doctor's office (wasn't put under, just lots of Xanax) - I had NO pain, easy recovery, (I walk 6 miles a day, i had the procedure done on friday and was able to get back to my exercise schedule and work by Monday). My insurance covered it 100%, since i did it in the doctor's office and not the hospital, i didn't have a deductible or copay.

It has made the most MAJOR improvement in my quailty of life! I'm in the Atlanta area and my doctor is Lynley Durett - she's on the Piedmont Hospital campus- I would check with friends and make sure you find a doctor that has a lot of experience in these procedures - I've heard other woman say that their procedures were not as successful as mine but most women i know have been very happy with the results, even when they still got periods the amount and days have been drastically reduced.

Good day, I had an ablation performed and it has been the best thing ever....after I had my daughter in 2006 my cycles, cramps, pms...all started getting worse...I chalked it up to being older when I gave birth, but after awhile I basically had one good week a month. I spoke to my doctor, and she explained the procedure, and the fact that sometimes it works better than others, but normally it would decrease the cycle....well I was all in. I went in on a Thursday and was back at work on Monday. Period free since!! Best of luck, and it is definitely something I would suggest.

All I can say is GO FOR IT!!! I know exactly what you are going through. My periods were so bad that I had to skip one of my daughter's field trips (there was no way I could make it on a bus let alone walk around the zoo) I missed my neices final choir performance her senior year in high school and also missed other outings all because of my periods. I would have to wear an overnight pad and a tampon just to drop off or pick up my kids at school! Unlike you though, I struggled because I really wanted to have more kids. I put up with it month after month with the hopes that I would get pregnant one more time. Finally after missing things and not being able to leave the house, even my husband said I should have the ablation done. I AM SO GLAD THAT I DID! I just had it done in June. My periods now are so light a panty liner is really all that I need. You still ovulate, so I am assuming this discharge is from that. I don't worry any more about planning an outing with my husband or my kids and checking the calendar to see if it would be an okay time to go!! My OB put me under and performed the procedure. I have a friend that is having it done, next week, in her dr's office with a local. I had the procedure in the morning and the rest of the day I had a small burning sensation down there but by the next morning I felt great. I remember my doctor telling me that 90% of women never have a period again. I thought for sure I would be the 10% that still had a period that was unbareable! Not at all!! I totally recommend it, especially if you know that you are done having kids.

I had the procedure done Apr 09 and it was the best decision I ever made. I haven't had any problems and I am still enjoying not having a period! Good luck

I had it done a year ago and it was the best thing I ever did.
I only wish I had done it sooner.
After years of being afraid to leave my house during my periods because they were so heavy, I can now enjoy life again without having to worry!

I had it done almost 2 years ago and it has been a life saver! I had a few light periods right after and some spotting here and there but compared to what I used to have which was like you in that I didn't want to leave the house during that time this is fantastic. I think there is a 30% chance that you may have a period after but even if you do it won't be like you have now.

I had one 2 years ago at Maternal Gynerations (They are awesome!) and have had great results. I had the procedure completed in my OB/GYN's office and had about a day & half recovery at home. The procedure was painful, but it did not last too long. It was about an hour start to finish, I think. They gave me good pain medication to take prior to the procedure and after wards. I had some cramping (which is normal) after I got home and slept the rest of the day of the procedure. The next day I felt fine and took it easy.

I had terrible periods that lasted 10 to 14 days with 2 weeks between cycles. Some of those days I, too, could not leave the house. Some people have no period after the procedure, but I do. Now I have a very light cycle of 4 to 5 days (using only liners) with 25 to 28 days in between. This is a great alternative to having a hysterectomy as the recovery time is so short and the results were very good. You can still get pregnant after an ablation, but should not as you can't have a successful pregnancy due to this procedure. Your doctor will tell you more.

I hope this helps you. I felt like I got my life back after having the ablation!

I haven't done that, but I did have a D&C last year to end a period that lasted 60 days. I have stage 4 endometriosis, and it causes me to have horrible periods. Also, are you on any kind of hormone treatments? If you aren't, consider a birth control pill to ease your symptoms. Has your doctor checked for causes to the heavy periods? It could be uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or cysts.

Have you tried progeterone cream? My dr. Put me on progesterone cream for anxiety and to help with my sleep. Well I went off of I for a few weeks bc I wasn't sure if I should use it if I was trying to get prgnant. Well, I ended up havin they worst period I have ever had and started questioning whether I have endometriosis. I didn't even think abou the progesterone until I started using it again and barely had a period this month. Ask your dr. If that is an option for you maybe before tying surgery? Good luck! It's no fun being out of comission each month. Momma's don't have sick days :(

I had it done 7 months ago for exactly the same reasons you're considering it. My insurance covered it because I'd battled severe anemia for several years. Efforts to lighten my periods w/ the pill were unsuccessful.

I had the procedure done as outpatient with a "twilight" anesthesia. Recovery was minimal. I did have discharge for about 2 months after (not bad, just strange as the burnt tissue sloughed off). This last month was the first time I've had any sign of a period, but it was very, very light. I'm hoping it stays that way. It's been so wonderful to take a vacation w/o having high anxiety, or to be in an hour-and-a-half meeting w/o having to excuse myself to race to the restroom! My iron levels have also been improving and I'm hoping to cease taking iron supplements soon, as they are hard on my digestive system. Good luck - I do hope you can find some relief from this problem!!!!

I've had bleeding that bad also, before I had my youngest. After I had her, it seemed to go away, but then came back and the cramping went up into my lower part of my rib cage. I knew it was spreading. Since I was in my mid 40's they decided that it would be better to put me on Bio identical hormones to balance the hormones and stop my periods. I was already having perimenopausal symptoms so they said my periods would stop in a few years and that way I did not have to have the surgery. I've had one bad period, last month, and that was the first period in 10 mos. ( and the only bad one since) so I'm doing well.

It definitely helped with my periods but a year after my procedure my periods started to get weird. I have a very weird cycle anyway, but I still don't regret the procedure. Good luck.

I had the procedure done years ago. My periods were lasting 3 weeks out of the month and I was having to wear a tampon and a pad. Now they last 3 or 4 days and it's so light I only wear a panty liner. The only bad thing is I now have really bad cramps the first day or 2 but it sure beats having the periods I had. If you are done having kids, I say do it. You won't regret it.

Hi, i had that done years ago and it was a blessing. I had a horrible time before that with heavy bleeding, clotting and cramping. After i had it done i barely had a period. Every once in a while i would get it but basically i had no periods to speak of after the procedure. The Dr. said sometimes your periods stop completely and sometimes it doesn't help. I was lucky. Hope it works for you

I had cryoablation done (freezing) done 3 years ago. We actually did it twice because the first one didn't work. I have PCOS which caused my periods to be whenever they wanted, for however long. Nothing helped to get them on a schedule. We did the cryo in between back and neck surgeries (I started my period the night BEFORE lower back surgery) and my Dr knew I was heading for neck surgery and decided that I didn't need to be going through the misery of periods, too! Love my Dr!! The cryo takes about 2 full cycles (sometimes 3) to be sure it worked and mine never did. The procedure was relatively painless (I have a high treshold for pain, tho) with minor aches and cramps to follow. So, I had a hysterectomy. The pathology on my unterine tissues pretty much showed it would've never worked and I'd be having periods into my 70's or later! I do not regret going through the cryo first nor the final hyster. My Dr was glad that I decided to go the route I did. He isn't one to push this or that... gives the options and you decide, talk it over with him and then go for it.
I've had friends who've done the "burning" ablation and I was one of 2 that did the cryo (freezing) ablation. talk with your Dr about all the pros and cons of both, the downtime, what if it doesn't work-what would the next step be.
I've been happy with the hysterectomy, my choice to have a complete, but you can opt to keep parts for hormonal sake. I'm much happier not going through all the hormonal ups and downs and so is my family!
Whatever you decide to do, get all the facts and make sure you are done with having more children. Love not having periods anymore!
Best of luck to you

I had this procedure done 2.5 years ago. I had had some of your same symptoms with extremely heavy periods and becoming severely anemic each month.

It was done on an outpatient basis, in and out the same day. I had it done on a Friday with the weekend to rest and recuperate. I was back to my usual routine by Monday. Best thing I've ever done.

Hope this helps!

yes, we were trying to avoid a hysterectomy and I had this procedure done. It was very painful and it did not help, so I ended up having a hysterectomy anyway.