Mirena IUD or ablation?

Ablation is an option. It supposedly helps 90% of women with mennoraghia (heavy bleeding); however, of the 10% it doesn't help, there are a greater percentage of women with adenomyosis.
I'm trying to decide between Mirena IUD and ablation of my uterus.

I hope you will be able to read through the threads and through our Resource Database to learn all you can about the options you are considering! The more you know, the better able you can be to make the best decision for you!

While determining what is right for you, also consider a second medical opinion.

I had stopped bleeding because my adeno was so bad just had the agonising pain. I decided to try mirena first as it wasnt so invasive and as i wasnt bleeding much the abalation wouldnt have made much difference.

The mirena worked great for 3 months but the pain came back so had a TAH 3months after that. having the time with the mirena in between helped me get used to the idea of a hyst being a final choice.

Its definatley worth a try.

March Hare

Thanks, March Hare. I appreciate the feedback. It's so hard to tell what to choose, since everyone has a different experience. Did anyone offer you the option of ablation for adeno? I don't have a lot of pain, just a LOT of bleeding, making me, at times, dangerously anemic.
Thanks again,
Donna

Hi rushingdl:

Here is a link to a website with info & message boards about ablation: http://www.endometrialablationdiscussion.com/

I hope you are able to find the right answers soon. I am sending huge cyberhugs

dear rushingdl,

They did offer the abalation but as i was bleeding little i didnt thiink it would help.

The only thing that cures adeno once and for all is sadly a Hysterectomy, although the othe two options do bide some time.

My pain was so delapatating that i had no other choice as it was affecting work and my day to day life.

I am only 36 and luckily have had my children and this was also why i decided on the hysterectomy.

Its a very hard decission and a very personal one, i wish you luck with the choice you make.

March hare

Thanks, I hear ya.
I had to change gynos (luckily, the same office had an opening), because I couldn't deal with the first one's attitude: "Well, you can use the Mirena or we can take it out!" Not: here are the options, Mirena, ablation (which she didn't even mention), or hysterectomy...." but "We can take 'IT' out," as she looks at me like I'm an annoying kid! (I'm 54; she's probably 38 or so). DEFINITELY personal. Interestingly, I found a study that says that 70% of ablations could be avoided because Mirena is as effective. But those aren't easy choices, either, once you start reading the literature.
I'm glad you're getting relief at last!!! My heavy bleeding is def. affecting my life, too, because I get very very anemic, then get chronic headaches, debilitating fatigue, can't take iron regularly (so have to go back and forth with it), not to mention all the BLOOD! hahahaha.
Take care, and thanks for the feedback,
Donna

I was offered the Mirena several times but after discussions with DH we decided its best to deal with the "devil we new" than the one we dont..., and the side effects from it wasnt that great..... Gyno then insisted he try doing an ablation on me but after still bleeding 18 days after the urgent D&C and being rushed into the normal Drs office she rang him and explained to him that a Hystrectomy was the only way to help me due to my past history with her..... Ablation would only delay a hysto in the long run & would not do much for me......

So gyno changed my admission form to Hystrectomy to which I have been placed on the Dec 9 Operating list.....

Goodluck with your desicion

Wow, what a crazy web we have to navigate when it comes to doctors and what we need, eh?
Good luck with your surgery!
I hope you feel like a new woman after!
--Donna

rushing, i too have a simular problem as you. the anemia and such (my ferrus level is a 6) i chose not to do the ablation, and i am still researching the mirena. have you made a decision yet? ultimatly, i feel i will end up with a hysterectomy, but i suppose it's wise to try my options first. i'm bound tyo have some sort of complications whatever ends up being done.

diddles, good luck to you on the 9th and following. i'm glad you have such an assertive dr that will stick up for you. i'm sure you're ready to move on with your life.