JUST FOR THE GIRLS: has anyone had ablation done

if you are having procedure done for bleeding from uterine fibroids there is another procedure called uterine artery embolization which is very effective in treating bleeding

I had an ablation 2 years ago. The post op, as far as cramping goes was minimum. The hardest part of the recovery for my was the effects of the anesthesia - I had them put me under and it took me three days for the effects to wear off. I almost feel down a flight of stairs the day after...tried to go to work on day 2 and ended up going home. Took day three off and was more clear headed after that. Two years after the procedure, the bleeding is much less and only lasts for 2 days. The cramping however can still be tough for me. Good luck!

I had ablation done 5 years ago. I remember I did take the next day off - but I was fine.
It really has solved all my heavy bleeding problems. I did get periods for a while - but for the last few years I've only had a couple of periods a year! Seems like I'm still PMSy though. I really think it was the best thing I could have ever done. My sister had an emergency hysterectomy (for the same kind of problem) and certainly this procedure is minor compared to that! Good luck!

I think that it's normal to feel a little loss at not being able to have babies anymore. I was in the same boat as you were 3 kids in late teens/early 20's and even though I knew I wasn't having any more it really did feel like the end of an era. Trust me once you spend a month or two where your period is now a non issue, the 'lost' feeling will pass :bigsmile:

I ended up having a total hysterectomy a couple of years later, 'cause for me it was bad fibroids that took cramping to new levels, but by then I was over the no babies part, so it was no longer an emotional decision. Like the say in the lottery commercials "Imagine the freedom!":drinker:

I had similar symptoms to yours, toribug. My doctor mentioned this procedure as a possibility, but told me that I could still end up needing a hysterectomy with in a few years, if it didn't solve all my problems. When I discovered the cost of the ablation was about the same as a hysterectomy, I said let's do it right the first time. I had my ovaries removed at the same time, as the research I did seemed to indicate that keeping them is just an invitation for trouble--specifically ovarian cancer.

I learned something very important about HRT. Research is out there that shows those who start HRT as soon as they have their ovaries removed don't have the issues that women who delay starting HRT until they have menopausal symptoms can have.

In my case, it has been a year since the surgery. I am taking a minimal dosage of estrogen. Once I got past the surgical recovery, which wasn't too bad, since it was done laparoscopically, I have never felt better--no more monthly ups and downs, and I have been able to consistently follow a program of healthy eating and exercise without being at the mercy of my monthly cycle.

I don't want to start a riot here, but if you have the time, since you already indicated your child-bearing years are behind you, II would ask your doctor why not solve the problem permanently and consider a full procedure. It will definitely save you money, and future grief if you end up not getting the results you seek with the ablation.

I learned something very important about HRT. Research is out there that shows those who start HRT as soon as they have their ovaries removed don't have the issues that women who delay starting HRT until they have menopausal symptoms can have.

I had a full hysterectomy 2 years ago and the menopausal symptoms happened immediately. I cannot take HRT because I have a very high risk of breast cancer.