has anyone had an endometrial ablation?

[ijack]

I'm considering having an ablation to help control bleeding and as permanent birth control. We'd planned on H getting a vasectomy, but I've hit my deductible for the year and am really over my constant bleeding (my cycles are approximately 21 days and I bleed for 7-14 days of that). I have a history of fibroids and I believe I'll be a candidate.
If you've had one how did it effect your periods? Any regrets?

Obviously I have an appt with my doctor to discuss this, I just wanted to see if anyone had experience.

[mrs.spunky]

I want to say from previous posts that lindyanne did, but I am not 100% certain...

[lindyanne]

I did. It is not considered birth control however (at least the type I had done). I haven't had a period in over a year. My periods werent crazy but they were much worse than before I had DS and I knew we were done. No regrets at all. DH had a vasectomy. I think you should both get it done since you're done with your deductible.

[lindyanne]

ETA - this from WebMD - confirms you need to use another form of bc.

www.m.webmd.com/women/endometrial-ablation-16200

[ijack]

weird, I thought it was BC. I'm the only one whose hit my deductible, H still has his. But maybe we could work it so he gets his done at the beginning of next year.
Did you have any complications? Or was the surgery easy?

[RitzyHeifer]

I had one, and it is not considered birth control so I also had a sterilization done (Essure) - even though I'm infertile - better safe than sorry. I still get a period but it's crazy light and only for 2 days max - light as in I could use a pantiliner for a whole day and be fine.

The procedure was super easy, I had Novasure which is done with electricity. I had very little pain but I think I have a really high pain tolerance. I took the day after the procedure off of work per their recommendations but I could have easily gone to the office and did work from home that day.

[bunnies]

My experience was practically identical to RitzyHeifer.

[hisno1girl]

I did.

I had the same problems with 3 week long periods and it was horrible.

I had my procedure done on a Friday & I was back at work on Wednesday. My periods got significantly lighter and a couple of times I'll have very light spotting, but I haven't had any spotting at all since last year.

I am so glad I did it. The doctor did tell me that the procedure would leave me unable to conceive and I remember laughing at my doctor becuase he said, "You would make beautiful babies! Are you certain you are done having children?" Dude! I was 39 when I had it done, yeah, I'm sure I'm done having kids !!

[morningmania]

My doctor and I talked about having this done a little over a year ago. I was having the same issues with my periods, and was almost set on having it done. They had to do an ultrasound first and found that I had a couple fibroids. My Dr. said it would not be as successful due to the fibroids. I chose to do a Mirena instead.

I am curious to know if anyone that had it done had fibroids and it was still really affective on your heavy/long periods.

I have my tubes tied, so I really wasn't thinking about the BC side of the treatment.

[ijack]

If I find out anything I'll report back - I have a history of fibroids as well.

[lindyanne]

Sorry for the long delay - I was on a flight. I was due for my period shortly when I had mine so I had a small amount of bleeding. I was just tired that day from the anesthesia but otherwise no issues.

[WOT?*]

I had one done but I had a ligation years earlier so I didn't realize the b/c issue because it wasn't addressed.

I have fibroids that still develop behind the scar tissue occasionally. Because of my (very unique; I was my doctor's first situation of such an occurrence.) situation, endo still grows behind the tissue and every couple of years or so I have a "rupture" that causes a period of about a day. I have a pinhole leak for the tissue to escape but otherwise I've had absolutely no issues and no problems. I'm generally the first to say it's absolutely worth doing.