Utrine ablation vs hysterectomy

devan · Silver Member Joined: 08 Aug 2000 Posts: 263

I have been having problems with my menstrual cycle my who life, ever since I got my first period. My periods were so heavy and painful that I would have to stay at home for 3-4 days and lie in bed all the time. Doctors had me on birth control pills but I started being moody and my hairs started to grow like crazy, so I had to drop them. I am 33 now and have two lovely children. I am definitely done giving birth. A doc gave me two options: uterine ablation and hysterectomy. Ablation kind of seems more appealing because you get to keep your organs and hormones production but I wanted to hear other people speak as well. Any comments more than welcome! Thanx

coury · Newbie Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Posts: 19

Hi! You are so right about ablation. I had it 5 months ago and I think it is the best decision I have ever had. I know what you are going through and I think you won’t make a mistake by having an uterine ablation. Hysterectomy is definitely out of the question. It is so unhealthy. I’ve seen many women fighting depression after having hysterectomy done. After the ablation I continued to have periods but they were not as heavy as they used to be. I would say they were normal. However, I have been having less and less blood for the two last months. You should know that uterine ablation doesn’t mean that your infertile. You have to be careful because you can get pregnant but most of these pregnancies need to be terminated because there isn’t enough lining for the fetus to develop and you may end up with ectopic pregnancy. Good luck to you!

Robin · Newbie Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

I am scheduled to have the ablasion (endo) done on July 7th. I understand and am fully satisfied that this is a better answer at this point in time than a hystorectomy. I am only 41 years old, but have nothing normal happening to me cycle wise. I bleed irregularly, more than not, and extremely heavy. It is simply horrible. This appears to be the least invasive at this point in time. I am not nervous at all as it seems to be a fairly simple procedure. I am, however, concerned for the recovery. I understand that there is or can be spotting/discharge for several weeks afterward. How about the week or weeks directly following. How did any of your folks that had it done feel? Interested in hearing about the recovery. Thanks.

Robin

tejohnson02 · Newbie Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

Robin: just to share my experience. I had the ablation done the 2nd of June (I also had my tubes tied at the same time) and am feeling good. However you do have the discharge for several weeks after (I am going into my third week with having the discharge). The dr. said I would have a bloody piece of tissue exit anywhere from 7-10 days, but that never happened, so I called and the nurse said some ladies may never have that piece come out and not to worry. The recovery time for the ablation went well. I cramped the first day, back to work in four days (would have been back sooner, but overdid it cause I DID feel so good). I only took one of the prescribed pain pills and it didn't seem to help much (Tylonel if you can take it worked best) I found that the headache from the anethesia was the worst part of it. Take it easy for a couple of days after the surgery, get lots of rest and drink LOTS of water. I think getting over the anethesia was worse than the actual surgery. I'm glad it did it. I was having a period every other week! Take care and good luck

njvd56 · Newbie Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

Im going to have the endometrial ablation next week, my question is I read that one had her tubes tied as well, why? because if this helps with not having future hot flashes ect, I want this done as well can any one out there give feed back. thanks, njvd

jmestevenson · Newbie Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 4

Before opting for the ablation I had in Sept I was having terribly heavy bleeding like many of you and abdominal pain. I also had laporscopy at the same time. The good news is there was not much pain with the recovery. The bad news is I thought that was it. That my troubles were over. I woke up from surgery to my doctor tellling me I am going to need a hysterectomy now. The adhesions were so bad that my uterus was completely attatched to my abdominal wall where you couldn't see where one started and the other ended. As well as adhesions to my bladder. My uterus is the size of someone 14 weeks pregnant, it's higher than it should be above the pubic bone and the cervix is tilted backward. And then there is my right ovary that huge and now enbedded in my bowel UNDERneath my uterus! Not next to it, but where my uterus should be. Anyway, I am devistated to say the least. I thought the ablation was going to solve all my problems. And it hasn't. I thought I'd never have a period again. Now it is about as heavy as a normal period, but lasts for 10 days! So, just don't have too high expectations for this because you never know. I though I'd never have a period again and I'd go on with my life blissfully. Hopefully you WILL have that result. Just don't be too surprised if it doesn't solve all your problems is all.

Lois13 · Newbie Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 1

I wanted to share my experience on Cryoablation. I have had somewhat heavy periods and cramping for 22 years. I am now 38. My Dr. finally said that he wanted to try the ablation procedure, it would be performed in his office and I should be "good as new" by the next week. Well, I had that done on October 19th and here it is on December 28th and still bleeding!! I've been back every week for the last 5 weeks...he doesn't even charge me anymore .....now he says that maybe in January that we'll try the Hysterectomy!!!!! I have made an appt with another Dr. here in my town. I feel as though I have been drug through the mud. It was done in the office with a Valium and Lortab 1 hour before he began the surgery. I had taken the Depo shot 1 week before. I really feel like a guinea pig!!

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Would any of you ladies still opt for an ablation if you had a long history of abnormal paps as well as very heavy bleeding? Do you think hysterectomy is a better choice?

tar64 · Newbie Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 1

I am 42 years old and had my Uterine Ablasion done the end of this past May......the best thing that could have happened to me. I was bleeding non-stop since last August, the dr. tried medications to stop the constant flow with many tests to rule out cancer. She explained this procedure to me and I was ready. I am so much more happier now! I bled for four days after surgery and have not bled since, and I feel like myself again. Recovery took about four days in all, be careful not to over do it because the pain was minimal for me and I over did it. I took four days off from work and I feel great! The hospital was great too, gave me an anit-nauseau pill before surgery, with a presecription again for dizziness, and I didn't need to fill it. The dr. gave to two types of pain killers, only needed the Motrin 800. I'm so glad that I DID NOT have a Hysterectomy. I hope this helps everyone who is thinking about their options.

mrsmcclain · Newbie Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Posts: 1

I am a 46 year old woman whose child bearing days are finished. I'd been experiencing very heavy periods and spoke to my dr. about a remedy for this and he recommended the cryoablation. Our goal was to have 0 to tolerable periods. I had the procedure done on 8/25/07. Before hand he'd explained to me that I would have a watery discharge for anywhere from 3-6 weeks. That information was right on point. It lasted from the date of the surgery up to 9/10/07 when I began what I'm assuming is my period. This is where it goes downhill. On 9/12, I bled so heavy it seemed like I never had a procedure done. On the 13th, I barely had anything but since then I have had moderate to heavy bleeding. The feeling of discouragement and disgust at this point is an understatement. I spoke to my dr. on 9/13 and he told me not to get discouraged too quickly. This could be because it's my first period after the procedure. I can only HOPE this is the case. If this continues over the next 3 months then I'll know the procedure wasn't successful and at that point I'll need to exercise the option of a hysterectomy Crying or Very sad

Utrine ablation vs hysterectomy

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