A Question for Women Only...Ablation

[dairyou]

I had a DC done and the doctor told me that I can have the ablation done. I've had one period and though it's better it's not that much better. I think I'm going to have it done.

My question is, what happens after the procedure is done? Will I still cycle with hormones? Will I still have PMS? I know there will be little to no bleeding each month which is a plus in itself. I was just wondering if it set you into early menopause or not....

Thanks all. I'd love to hear success or not successful attempts also.

Deb

 

[Christine]

I had a DC done and the doctor told me that I can have the ablation done. I've had one period and though it's better it's not that much better. I think I'm going to have it done.

My question is, what happens after the procedure is done? Will I still cycle with hormones? Will I still have PMS? I know there will be little to no bleeding each month which is a plus in itself. I was just wondering if it set you into early menopause or not....

Thanks all. I'd love to hear success or not successful attempts also.

Deb

I have not done it but am considering it. Yes, you will still have hormonal flucuations, you will still ovulate, and go through all the motions. However, your endometrial lining will have been burned off so you will not "shed" the buildup of the lining each month. It won't put you into menopause or anything.

 

[dairyou]

I have not done it but am considering it. Yes, you will still have hormonal flucuations, you will still ovulate, and go through all the motions. However, your endometrial lining will have been burned off so you will not "shed" the buildup of the lining each month. It won't put you into menopause or anything.

Ah...thank you for answering my question. I love the Disboards! I forgot to ask the Doctor last visit.

So do you have any hesitation of having it done?

Deb

 

[Christine]

Ah...thank you for answering my question. I love the Disboards! I forgot to ask the Doctor last visit.

So do you have any hesitation of having it done?

Deb

Yes, I am very hesitant. However, if I was "bleeding like a stuck pig" I wouldn't hesitate.

I am 43 years old and, since last summer, I have been anemic due to iron deficiency. I have been through all the tests to make sure that there is nothing sinister going on (like colon cancer) and everything seems to check out. When I had my colonoscopy done, they also did an upper endoscopy of the stomach and found out I had gastritis and stomach bleeding; however, the gastro doc did not think this was the cause of my anemia.

So, everyone assumes the cause is of a GYN nature. Quite honestly, I don't think my periods are that heavy. But how does one know what is "too" heavy? Very subjective. I think I have a combo of factors going on that contributes to the anemia but I'm just not sure.

After having 4 breast lumps removed, thyroid surgery to removed thyroid cancer, and various other health issues, I am in absolutely NO RUSH to go have something done to me in the hospital (even though it is a quick procedure). I'm just tired of having people do stuff to me. At least before I do it, I want to be 100% sure that my uterus is causing my problems.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

you can no longer have babies..if that is an issue..

One thing..I chose the hysterectomy over the ablation because I had fibroids which will not go away with ablation..

Also..i still get PMS...just without the monthly bleeding...such joy!

 

[CathrynRose]

Im having it done March 16th - I can let you know, then.

 

[jajuan]

I had it done over two years ago. I still have the severe pain I had before...if not worse. But it only last two days. I have been told hysterectomy is the next option. I am so scared to do it because I am very tolerant to pain and I didn't do will after the albation. Also...after 4 children...even though I knew I was getting divorce...I thought I was done. The thought of not being able to have children still made me cry. Now, I am happily remarried and regret the decision for that reason as well. I hate to be negative...I just wanted you to hear both sides...good luck in your decision

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I had an ablation a year ago with no periods afterward for about 6 months. Afterward, the same problem I had with bleeding 18-25 days a month returned.

The doctor has since put me on low-dose BC pills and the constant bleeding has stopped. I'm much happier now!

The ablation did cause a little cramping for the next day or two. The doc told me that the procedure either works or doesn't...and mine did work for a while.

 

[powellrj]

I had it done about 9 years ago and while it was great for the first couple of years, they did come back. They aren't as bad as before. They were very, very heavy and lasted for more than a week. Now they are what I would call moderate and only last a few days. Yes you will still have PMS and yes I still have cramping. Like I said, they only last a few days and are moderate in flow. I really wish I would have had a hysterectomy, but my DR thought this was a better option.

 

[Lanshark]

I had it done about 4 years ago. I had it done because I had a lot of abnormal heavy bleeding. It burns off the inner lining of the uterus so it doesn't affect your hormones. My cycles are shorter with less bleeding. Other than that I've had no problems. If you want more specific answers feel free to PM me.

 

[safetymom]

Just be careful with the low dose bc pills. I had problems with my period and she recommended the low dose pills. She said I was the perfect candidate for them. Well 21 days later I was in the hospital with a giant blood clot. It was in my entire leg. I am lucky to be alive after all that. All she said afterward was I guess you know you can't take hormones?

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

The verdict is still out on mine. I had the Novasure performed last month due to heavy bleeding. I had laparoscopy too and found out I had endometriosis and a cyst in my ovary . Anyway, Dr. treated the endo that he could see and removed the benign cyst after the ablation. I could actually feel the cyst in my abdomen by pressing in that area.

I have had one period since the ablation and it was next to nothing. But I did have my PMS headache and uterine sensations so I knew it was my period. I also had my pms chocolate cravings. My hormones are like they always were. I also think I still have some endo as I had a few of those types of sensations. But my extreme lower backache was absent!

The first 3 or 4 months will be "anything goes" after an ablation. You can drip and bleed and do all kinds of lovely things until you are healed. There is a great ezboard ablation discussion forum that I read and learned a lot. Good luck!

 

[floridafam]

I had one in Sept 2005. It really didn't work that well. I still have heavy periods but not as heavy as before.

It doesn't work for everyone. Your Dr. will be able to give you the numbers.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[dairyou]

Thanks everyone!

I think I'm going to have it done. I hate getting up every hour in the middle of the night!

I'm done with my child bearing years and I am too old to have another baby. Well my body at 42 may not be too old, but the mind is....lol Two teenagers sapped away anything I may have to offer any more.

I hope to schedule after a month of so. If it works camping, vacationing and someday going back to work will be so much easier.

Wish me luck!

Deb