uterine ablation

I had ablation done 3 years ago for heavy an excessive bleeding. I had no periods for 1 year and then they came back (light at first, gradually getting heavier and lasting 10-14 days.) I had a laproscopic hysterectomy 4 weeks ago due to this problem and fybroids. I was able to keep my ovaries (yes!). I am so glad I had the surgery. Only spent one night in the hospital and the incision sites are so small. If you can have a hysterectomy this way it is less invasive that other surgeries and the recovery is much quicker. I too research this before deciding what to do and my doctor is excellent (and one of the best in the country!)

There are many different types of Endometrial Ablation, I had a Microwave Endometrial Ablation in April 2001. It is far less invasive than a hyst but the results are not successful (afterall, if you remove the uterus you have nothing to bleed from!).

Thousand of women are very happy with ablations, especially those who do not feel themselves ready for hyst. It is not usually suitable for those with fibroids, as this can cause it to fail, which is why mine did.

Recovery was less than a week for me, but like I say, the results are not guarunteed. If you have not experienced the menopause, you can also fall pregnant after abaltion which can be life threatening to you and your baby, so it would be recommended you have your tubes tied at the same time, which is what i did.

Also, the endometrium, which is the part they destroy, can eventually grow back and the results may only last a few years before you need repeat surgury. EA is so new to the medical world that lifetime results have not yet been recorded.

If you are not ready for a hyst, then this could be the way to go for you. I would discuss the types of ablation as each have their own success rates, though at the moment I think MEA (or was when I was researching it) has he best so far. But only a few surgeons in the USA are trained for MEA, it is even newer to the States than it s the UK.

Hope this helped.

I had a thermal ablation in Dec of 1999 because of heavy periods with large clots. As most people have reported, the recovery is very short. Unfortunately, I did not have great results---although my periods were lighter than before, they have gradually returned to pre-ablation magnitude.

My doctor is suggesting a hysterectomy. It will require major surgery because of past surgeries (2 ectopics and 2 c-sections). I am seriously considering having the surgery--once I determine what type of disability benefits I will get and if my insurance co will pay.

Although my periods are heavy, they do not last longer than a week. I do have a lot of pain and bloating around ovulation, right before my period, and at the end of it.

I am wondering if this is serious enough to warrant a hysterectomy? Or should I just live with it?? My doctor is very supportive and had a hysterectomy herself at a fairly young age.

Thanks for any opinions!

Hi bdiane,

I just wanted to say hello to you because Iam going through EXACTLY the same thing as you!! and I quote............

"Although my periods are heavy, they do not last longer than a week. I do have a lot of pain and bloating around ovulation, right before my period, and at the end of it.I am wondering if this is serious enough to warrant a hysterectomy? Or should I just live with it?? ".

I had thermal ablation a year and a half ago. I am 45 y/o and gradually, my periods are returning to pre-ablation type, heavy utereus, cramping and clotting.

I am starting to have all the usual tests, vaginal sono and stuff, but have not decided on surgery yet.

I do believe that the symptoms that we have are serious enough to warrant a hysterectomy, I think it is a waiting game until we finally realize it and get fed up with how we feel all month!

Please keep in touch I want to hear what you decide and I will do the same!

I finally decided to have the LAVH on 2/8/02 (about three years after the ablation) because I was back to the pre-ablation periods and problems. I am 41 years old and have been able to keep my ovaries so for me the hysterectomy was the right decision. No periods, nor hormones to take! I wish I had done it sooner because I do not believe in "just live with it" or "just put up with it".