Hi - saw a pamphlet at the doc yesterday about this treatment for people suffering heavy periods and was wondering if anyone has had it? It's only suitable for women who definitely don't want more pregnancies, and it's supposed to lighten and possibly even stop menstrual flow.
I guess I want to know if it works, and if there are any disadvantages to it. From what I have Googled it sounds quite good, but seems more popular in the US than here.
It's something I've done some reading on, but no actual experience sorry. You need to put a bit of research in, because there are several different techniques used now, each with different pros and cons. I think it is used mostly in perimenopausal women as an alternative to doing hysterectomies which was the only solution in the bad old days.
It might also depend on the severity of your symptoms and what else is going on for you as to whether this is the best thing. If for example the bleeding is associated with early menopause, your dr might prefer a hormonal course of treatment which confers bone density advantages too.
Oh disadvantages from memory are- it's a surgical process so there are risks, costs, recovery time and pain to consider. Also, depending on the method used some women need to get it done more than once, effectiveness is not always permanent. And you still need to use contraceptives.
Thanks Marydean. Yes, there are about 6 different methods from what I've discovered. Surgical risks aside, I was wondering if there are any possible hormonal side-effects, but most sites say there are not. Contraception is not an issue as DH has had a vasectomy 2 yrs ago.
I have an appt scheduled with my gp next week to discuss other options first and to get any relevent tests to determine why I'm having these symptoms. I just like to go to my appts with as much knowledge as I can
Totally understand! I have a high need for information, it helps with asking the right questions when you see the doctor. . I would be very interested to hear what your dr has to say about it all, if you don't mind. Tbh I would probably be considering it too but since I'm only getting AF 3 or 4 times a year it's still manageable. if I was having to deal with it every 4 weeks I'd be into the drs in a flash.
I'm getting mine every 24 days now where I used to be a very regular 28, and they are getting to the point I don't want to go out for the first 2 days as it's so heavy. Totally over it!
I am booked to have this Novasure procedure done next week and I can't wait to do something about these awful af if it doesn't work I am going to have a hysterectomy even if the doctor says I am too young. The big thing with it is you have to be sure that you no longer want any pregnancies
Can you let me know how you get on Racey? I had pap and blood tests done last week, getting results on thursday to make sure no medical issues. My gp has given me a presxription for transanemic (sp?) acid tablets to take for the heavy days of af to slow the flow down. She said they work in a large percentage of cases.
Def no more pregnancies for us as dh had a vasectomy after ds2 was born so that's not an issue here.
Good luck, would love to hear how you get on. I hope it works for you and you don't have to get a hysterectomy. My gp said it can take up to a year for the full benefits to be known though.
Racey - how did you get on with your procedure? I'm at the point that I'm seriously considering it but do not know anyone who has had it done. Have you had an improvement with your AF? Was there any side-effects? Would love to hear all about it!
I would love to hear all about it, too. Dee, how are you finding the tranxemic acid? It disagrees with my tummy but I still use it when I'm desperate, because it does reduce the bleeding significantly, but I feel foul for a couple of days afterwards.
Marydean, the TA doesn't do much for me. It reduces it a little, but it's still very heavy with lots of clots. I don't seem to get any side effects from it. I had a laproscopy 3 months ago and my gynie found some adhesions which he removed. My following 2 cycles seemed lighter, but now this one is back to it's old horrid, heavy self
Would be great to hear from someone who has undergone the ablation...
Well, I'm booked in to have ablation done on August 16. Will post update on here afterwards in case anyone else is looking for info on it down the track. I have found a gynie who has done over 1000 of these procedures, and she said in about 12 of them she had to do it a 2nd time as they were not satisfied, and only twice has had a patient with no significant improvement. Sounds like good odds to me!
Fantastic, Dee, that sounds very promising. Good luck with it all, I hope it's quick and fairly painfree, and that you get excellent results. Will be keen to hear how it all goes.
Hi Ladies, After a long history (about 18years) of endometriosis, numerous laparoscopies, various medications and a Mirena I had a Novasure ablation done half way through 2011. After about 6-8 weeks i had finished healing (as in no more dishcharge from the uterus walls healing), i had no periods for about 6 months after that and it was great! They did however start to slowly come back around every 28 days, but enough initially to use a panty liner for the day as it was more just a stained mucus. As the months went by the periods began to get a bit heavier and I started to notice more period like food cravings and mood swings. Just last week I had another light period that lasted a few days which really is no biggy and I can handle that compared to what my periods were like pre ablation, but I have noticed the increase over the last few months of back pain, stomach pain and just not feeling right within myself. I am only assuming that the endo is back (to be honest i can't remember the last time it was removed) and is the reason for the pain and bleeding. I am booked in to see my Gyno but not until October.
On a positive note I do know of others that have had alot more success - who have not had a history of endo.
I hope those of you who have had the procedure have recovered well and it has had the desired outcome.
Hi Kas - I hope you get some relief again in October. My Gyno said some people do need 2 treatments to get long-lasting results, but only a very small percentage are still unsatisfied after 2 treatments. Which method did you have? Mine used the thermal balloon method as she thinks it has the highest success rate in the long term.
My recovery has been great, some pain for a few days, and a small amount of discharge each day for the 1st week. No discharge 2nd week, but a tiny bit of pinkish discharge today, but AF is due around now, so that could even be it! She said I wouldn't know for 6-7 months how successful it was as AF can come back. Fingers crossed though.
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Anyone undergone endometrial ablation?
. I would be very interested to hear what your dr has to say about it all, if you don't mind. Tbh I would probably be considering it too but since I'm only getting AF 3 or 4 times a year it's still manageable. if I was having to deal with it every 4 weeks I'd be into the drs in a flash.
Good luck at the drs appt.
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