Hysterectomy or Endometrial Ablation

Hi Sara. 

For me I went straight for hysterectomy. 

Severe I know but I wasn't taking any chances. 

Ablation has too big a failure rate for me and I was so fed up with it all. 

Best decision I made. I had my op on 1st April and feel great. 

Good luck

lee x

Hi Sara,

I had heavy periods my whole life, cramps etc. A doctor suggested I do an ablation, and I happily went on for 8 years with no period. A year ago I started to feel tired all the time and had pain in my lower back and abdomen but never at the same time, so I kept letting it go. Then my back pain got wosre, after exausting my time and money in the ER, and at my PCP and 3 other doctors, I went to my GYN and my uterus was the size of a 6 month pregnancy. Because I had the ablation and no periods( heavy periods ) would have been the first sign that I had uterine cancer (Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma) , before the back pain. I was very lucky. After having 3 surgies we found that the cancer was confined to the uterus If you are past the child bearing years (my opinion) take it all out and save yourself from future problems. I am 44 yrs old have no children but I am alive, healthy and cancer free. I'm very sorry that I had the ablation. I hope this doesn't scare or offend you, I wish I had know the risks before the ablation, but I do know if you decide to do it (the ablation) have regular internal ultrasounds to monitor the size of your uterus. Love & Luck your way in making your decision. Erin

Hi Sara

I had heavy periods for a couple of years and then March 14 became very ill with anemia and was off work 6 weeks getting well again, was offered Ablation and went for it on 17.9.14, i had been warned by my gp that they don't always work and in her opinion my fibroid/s were too big to have the procedure, i mentioned this to my surgeon and he poo pooed the gp and went ahead anyway. I had a general and came round from it with my surgeon leaning over me saying Ablation didn't work as fibroid/s too big and device couldn't get to womb lining and that i would need a hysterectomy. Finally had this on 13.4.15 so nearly a year after it all started.  In my opinion go straight for the hysterectomy, i'm now 13 weeks post op and very nearly back to 100% full health and i'm training again, if i had been allowed to have the hysterectomy in Sept 14 i think it would have been better.

Hi Sara,

I am in a similar position to you, I have tried all the same things. Following a recent scan they have found I have a uterine polyp and I had the choice of ablation or hysterectomy and I have gone with hysterectomy which is booked in for Monday. I am only 34 but have 2 beautiful children and am also allergic to hormonal contraceptives so it is the best option for me.

Anna

The only thing I hate about hysterectomy if you have to be cut is the scar and the roll of loose skin you are left with . My cousin had keyhole and she had none of this. I had a fibroid as big as a water melon looked 5 months pregnant. The swelling can take up to 6 months to reduce. I am a very impatient person and find it hard to deal with plus hysterectomy sends you into forced menopause which. Once you learn to deal with the hot flushes is no big deal really. In general my health is much better as the periods are gone and the pain is gone so it's all for the better.