Experience with NovaSure Procedure/endometrial Ablation

My dr also suggested this too but then she also suggusted the mirena which i was glad i did this. I had very heavy periods after my second child along with migraine. Ever since i had the mirena put in not migranies and my periods are down to just wearing a ligt days.

I have not had it done, but my mom had it done 2 years ago after suffering from heavy periods for years. I can clearly remember being in High School and her being so weak and anemic from blood loss during her period. She cannot say enough good things about the ablation procedure. She was in and out of the clinic within 2 hours and back to work the next day. She said she feels 100% better after the procedure. I know she recommended it to a friend of hers and that friend also had good results. Good luck and hopefully you can find something to give you some relief!

I just had it done last Friday so I can't really tell you the long term effects, only recovery, which has been quite easy really. I was in some pain on friday, the worst being right after the proceedure and some over the weekend (may have been due to starting my monthly, made worse by the proceedure) which was manageable with meds, and I was really tired for the first few days, but got back to my full routine by wednesday without any adverse effects. They told me I would bleed right after for a while but I didn't start bleeding until sunday and it's so light it's not even a problem. My heaviest day so far was way lighter than my light day before and now I'm just spotting. I think it was more from my period being due than from the proceedure. The only real problems I've encountered is swelling of my tummy, which has caused me to wear sleep pants all week, tho that's almost gone now, and the chronic need to pee, which has calmed down now as well. I had mine done in the OR due to having the Essure (a type of tubal ligation) being done at the same time. The whole thing only took 20 minutes. It took longer to sign in and wake up in recovery. Total time at the hospital was 3 hours. I had chronic edometriosis, which is why I was having it done to rid me of that and to control monthly bleeding which was interfering with my daily life due to how heavy it was and because it was chronic (every day for months). Good luck to you!

I too had horrible periods and pain for many years. After I had my second child and a tubal ligation I decided to have the hydro-thermal ablation which uses scalding water to thin the lining. I had it done in the hospital two times.(I understand now they can do some in the doctor's office.) The first attempt wasn't successful because of the shape of my uterus and some tissue was missed. Around 6 months later I had the procedure done again and am very happy. I had twilight sleep and did wake up during the procedure once.
Pain is pretty minimal with some cramping and bleeding afterwords. The bleeding lasted for a week at most. I went from having two week long heavy periods to some occasional light spotting. I am glad I did it after suffering for so many years. Now I have to wear a panty liner at most compared to wearing hospital grade pads. I am about 2 years out from my procedure and couldn't be happier!

Hi L.!
I am having a cryo alblation on Monday, and I'm told that it's a pretty easy procedure. I opted for the freezing instead of the burning, mainly because they could put me out for the freezing and I would be awake for the burning. There's supposed to be some mild cramps afterwards and maybe a little discharge. Other than that, it's supposed to be pretty easy. I'm really looking forward to mine, I have some what of the same situation as you do, except my three are 5, 3, and 1 and I'm 29 - getting this taken care of early :) Good luck and I hope all goes well for you!

B.

I had mine done at the age of 40. I'd always had very erratic periods, but the type of period had always been the same. I got sick in Feb 2008 and after I got sick, my periods became really weird. Very heavy with lots of blood clots, and then very close together: 21, 22, 19, 18 days (I was used to 28, 32, 48, 62, 51, 27 days, etc, even skipping a couple months at a time). And this type of cycle I'd had since I first got my period, so having my daughter nine years ago didn't change or affect my period.

Knowing this was abnormal, even for me, I saw my GYN, who did an ultrasound and found my endometrial lining was 11 mm *normal is less than 5mm*. She recommended the NovaSure. Since I was done with having kids, it seemed the best choice. She did a biopsy and that was normal (checking for hyperplasia or cancer).

I had mine done in June 2008 and haven't had a period since (one of those lucky few who end up without any). Mine was, I believe, the one where the inside is burned or cauterized. For my own peace of mind, I also had a laposcopy done to rule out PCOS and Endometriosis (none). Since I was out, I didn't have any pain, and even when I woke up, the only discomfort I suffered from was the "bloating" the lapo gas had given me. Otherwise, I don't even remember any cramping.

I've been very happy with having the procedure done. My only gripe is that I have no idea when my cycle does come, so can't track things like PMS (so can't blame bad moods on my period!) or watch for perimenopause. But I figure that's what they have lab tests for (to check for those midlife changes.).

The only thing that I know now is, certain nutritional problems can also affect your body chemistry and your period/mentrual cycle. I found this out, though, after I'd already had the NovaSure. Since I had had enough problems with delivering just one child, my husband and I were content with our family size, so we haven't regretted going forward with the NovaSure. BUT, knowing what I know now, I would urge any woman who is contemplating having this done to also search out a Naturopathic Nutritionist and discuss whether your menstruation problems could be related to a nutritional deficiency. It's said that certain nutritional deficiencies can play havoc with your cycles, and if they're taken care, your cycles will sort themselves out. It's worth looking into, I think. If I'd have known about this when I was contemplating having the NovaSure done, I would have taken a little time to see if perhaps my problems could have been solved through nutrition.

If you decide to have the NovaSure, I wish you good luck and a speedy recovery. I am soooo glad I had mine!

I had the Novasure done a year ago this month. Mine was done more for uterine cramping than long heavy periods although i had heavy bleeding with clots for approx 2 days. The procedure itself was very quick and painless, they did give me medications to knock me out, but i was home within 2 hours of my treatment time. Some minimal cramping after the procedure, i went to work the next night and worked a 12 hour night shift on a busy cardiology unit (i'm a nurse). long term, it didn't do much for my uterine cramping and i've had to resort to other methods and may still be looking at a hysterectomy in the future, but i no longer have periods. just an occasional spotting. So for you, it may be the perfect answer! Hope this helps

L.,

I had this procedure done in June and I couldn't be happier with the results. Ever since having kids my periods were very heavy, many accidents, pretty miserable. I actually had an appointment to have the procedure done two years ago and then changed my mind but I am so glad I did it this time and wish I would have done it long ago. I had the procedure done in the OR, I checked in at 6 and was on my way home at 8, very quick! I was in pain that day and did take some meds until the evening after that just extra strength Tylenol through the night. The following day I felt great and went on with a normal day. I really didn't have much bleeding with the procedure either, very light for a couple days. Since then my periods(if you want to call them that) are so minimal! A few days with a lite tampon, no kidding a lite tampon, I never even bought those previously! I don't personally know anyone else that has had the procedure to compare my experience with, I know everyone is different. Hopefully you will have the same results if you choose to do this. Good Luck

Hi L., There is a radio show “What Women Must Know” – 9-14-09 on NPR. The subject was on hysterectomies but Nora Coffey explains later in the show, how doctors should fix this kind of problem you are having. I didn’t know about this before I had a hysterectomies the doctor never offered it to me. Here is the web site. I check today and you can still listen to it.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/PRNarchives2.php On the show it explains what problem you are experiencing and how to fix it. You can also call Nora Coffey and get advice about the problem and how to talk with the doctor to get what you want done. Here is her number if you want to call her. I feel it can’t hurt to find out more options that are out there. ###-###-####. Good luck,
V.

I am also thinking about having this procedure done for the same reason as you. I have been reading the responses. Thanks for asking the question.

Be sure to ask about Post Ablation Syndrome and/or Post Ablation Tubal Ligation Syndrome. This was never explained to me prior to the Novasure procedure and two years post Ablation, I have to have a hysterectomy because my endomitrial lining is growing and getting trapped in the uterus and fallopian tube. This is EXTREMELY painful and it can also delay diagnosis of a possible endometrial cancer.