*WARNING* Graphic female stuff!!

[Lori Biever-Launder]

Ok, gang, I need some info.

A little background: I will be 45 on February 1st. I have been having periods since I was 11. They started out at seven days and have gradually gotten longer. I am now up to TWELVE days. My doctor mentioned a cauterizing procedure that will end my periods once and for all. I am tempted to go through with it, AFTER I see if my lousy insurance will cover it.

Have any of you had it done? Any pros? Cons? I am through with childbearing, so fertility is not an issue. Does anyone know if hormone therapy is a necessity afterwards?

Any adivce/info would be helpful!

[SewCrafty]

Lori,

I'm so sorry you are going through this. While I had my share of female related problems over the years I have never heard of this procedure. Sounds a lot less radical than surgery though. Hope someone has some info for you.

[bevjean]

This sounds totally horrible. Since I had my last son my periods have gotten very painful (starting two weeks before my actual period) and heavy. My gyn said I had "pelvic indigestion" (weird sounding), anyways she said is was caused by the blood that flows into the area before the period and to possible fix it she mentioned a proceedure that goes in and (if I heard her right) burns off the lining of the uterus and that should lessen my flow and reduce the preperiod engorgement. I didn't think she said it would completely eliminate my periods, but if the proceedure doesn't work they may consider a hysterectomy. I'm not ready to have any proceedure done so she recommended that I try motrin therapy for a few months and see if that helps (take 2 motrin every 4 hours from the first sign of the cramps until my period is over). Sorry if I went on, and I'm not sure if the proceedure is the one you are talking about just thought I would mention it and see if it helps anyone. I guess since you mentioned cauterizing it made me think of the burning proceedure my dr mentioned.

[Kimberlina]

Lori, I have absolutely no personal experience about this, but I listened to a radio program about it. There was actually a thread about it, but I think Sara may have cleaned house as I can't find it anywhere.

No matter- I am sure you have already researched it a lot, but the experts on the show (it was Berman and Berman on Discovery Channel Radio) all said it was an excellent alternative to hysterectomy. There are so many issues with hysterectomy, such as prolapsed uterus and such, that you will not have should you go this route, and at is generally done on an outpatient basis as well. He (the expert) said that there are a lot of hysterectomies done needlessly (that isn't to say some aren't completely warranted, but this is just s better option for some people.)

Here is a link to general information, and the second link is for a discussion/support group for people who have had or are considering balloon ablation. I figure even if you have already seen these, they might help someone else.

http://www.gynalternatives.com/ablation.htm
http://home.att.net/~endometrial_ablation/

[Darlene]

A balloon ablation? I had that done because of heavy periods ( i couldn't leave the house) & it changed my life. Really. Periods are practically non existant.
If you want to know more feel free to pm me.

[Kimberlina]

Ooops- sorry- I just assumed it WAS a balloon ablation, as that is the big buzz in gynecology these days. (How do I know these things?)

Anyway, if that wasn't what he was talking about, feel free to ignore me.

Going to go get behind the couch and hide again.

[guest7]

Try this website too.
http://uimc.discoveryhospital.com/ma...?t=enc&id=1216

Also, I think your talking about endometrial ablation. See definition below. the web site will discuss just what your talking about.
Endometrial Ablation: FDA calls endometrial ablation, a viable alternative to a hysterectomy. Endometrial ablation, according to FDA, is a minimally invasive surgery using electrical energy, heat or cold to destroy the endometrium (uterine lining). This may minimize the bleeding, but FDA warns the results may last just a decade and the procedure may not be for everyone. FDA does not advise endometrial ablation for women who want to have children. However it is still possible to get pregnant after endometrial ablation but it would be considered a high risk pregnancy. While complications are rare, FDA says blood loss, accidental damage to internal organs, and perforation of the uterus are possible.

[Valerie in WA]

I see no reason why you need hormones after an ablation. Your hormones come from your ovaries, which will be untouched. Based on the very short medical history you've shared, it sounds like something you should consider. From the definition Cheryl posted, it sounds like there aren't really any side effects later, and that the risks are with the procedure alone (and of course, any procedure has risks).

[bamamomto4]

Lori I know its the pits!

[Englishlady]

Lori I HAVE HAD an Endometrial Ablation.

It can stop periods all together for some women, for others (like me) it just makes them VERY light and short ( I was pretty dissapointed they didn't go away all together

You DO NOT need Hormones after ( let's be basic here for a moment it's just like the surgical equivalent of having most of the crud scraped off the top off the stove there will be residual stuff left but not the "thickness", so in most cases not enough to shed(bleed) or if it is, not much.

I did go on to have a Hysterectomy some 10 years later..........

HTH feel free to PM me.

[couponchic]

I have a friend who had really heavy periods and had this procedure done maybe 2 years ago. She now has a much lighter period and I think it also eliminated her cramps. She said she wished she would have had it done ages ago.

[foxxyroxie]

I don't know if it was ablation or not, but a friend of mine had a procedure to end heavy periods. Unfortunately it didn't work for her and she then had the option of having anohter procedure or undergo a hysterectomy. She chose the later (a total hysterectomy) about 6 months later. That was back in August of 2003 and she's had one medical problem after another and has had four major abdominal surgeries (of which I feel were resulting from the hysterectomy). Try the ablation first and continue having them as needed as long as the doctor will continue with them, but think long and hard as to whether you have the hysterectomy. This scenario might not pertain to everyone but it is definitely something to consider about hysterectomy.

[JUSTAMOM]

I had one too! April will be 1 year period FREE!

[kaykwilts]

What you are going through is Perimenipause. There is a book that a Dr. John R. Lee wrote that is called What your doctor does not tell you about Perimenapaule. He also wrote one called What Your Doctor Does not tell you about Menapause. He advocates natural ways of handling things. Here is his website:
http://www.johnleemd.com/

[cozyquilter]

Here is a link with lots of great information....

http://www.heavybleeding.com/