Endometrial Ablation - What is it? What are the risks? (hysterectomy, painful)

[jujub529]

So I've been having some crazy periods. They started last year April. Very long, very heavy and very painful. My Doc tried putting me on the pill and other hormone therapy. That didn't work. I ended up having a D&C in August and IUD inserted. I was told that after 6 months, what ever my body would be doing would be what it will continue to do. In Feb. my periods were only 4 days long and 20 days in between. Tolerable. March, the periods got longer and closer to together. April was a 20 day period with a 7 day break, a day of spotting, and now another break. But I'm having some serious discharge that it feels like I'm peeing my pants at times. When I talked to my doc, it was suggested to have a Endometrial Ablation. My research tells me that it is pretty much like having a D&C. Has anyone ever had one? What was it like? I'm scared.

[CTGirlNoMore]

I haven't had one. I have heavy periods (really bad) and am just now trying the IUD. My next step would be the ablation if this doesn't work.

Anyhow, I have a few friends that had this done. Just be aware that it doesn't work the same for everyone. 3 friends have had success and have no period, or very very light spotting. One still get a period, sometimes bad.

I'm not sure how their recovery was, but if I remember correctly it wasn't too bad.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I feel for you as far as periods go.

[Mikala43]

I had one done for the same reasons. I was bleeding non-stop. I tried taking uber-high doses of depo and that didn't work.

I was under general anesthesia, and they were going to use the method that deploys a net and burns off the uterine wall.

It was unsuccessful because I've never had children, so the cervix was too tight to manuever. But home the same day, no problems.

Ended up having a hysterectomy instead.

[brokencrayola]

My doctor talked about doing this on me, but I ended up having a total hysterectomy. I know it can sometimes be done in the doctors office and other times you need to be under anesthesia. I am not a doctor but my understanding is you should not have this if you one day hope to have children because it destroys the uterine lining. I do know sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Talk to your OB/GYN about it.