Considering Endometrial Ablation - HELP
Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 10:52AM Warning: This is one post my male readers may want to skip. It's all about girly parts. NO, Rufus, I am not sharing pictures. Go check out Melanie's fabulous Rack (of Pork). Pervs.
Are the men gone?
Here we go...
I'm having some feminine issues and would like some advice from my wise and wonderful uterus sporting readers.
You see, ever since having kids... well, that's not exactly fair to blame the kids... let's start over...
My uterus hates me.
Yep, that about sums it up.
Gory details?
My periods totally suck. The last few months especially, I have found myself in fetal position while bleeding through super plus tampons within 45 minutes. If I'm lucky. The clots? The doctors want a point of reference as to size. So, I dunno. Sometimes a clemenine. Always a silver dollar. Heh - I'd be RICH if each equaled a silver dollar. This isn't just the first day of my period. It's a full 3 days of feeling as if my uterus is falling out. Then, a light flow seems to linger for days.
Yeah.
Not normal. Not fun.
I know I'm done having kids. Really, really. I don't feel the need to be pregnant ever again, especially after the complications with my son. He was born 5 weeks early after 9 weeks of bed rest due to preterm labor issues. My kids are 6 and 9. I have no desire to revisit the baby years. Before my husband had his vasectomy, we agreed we would adopt if we ever felt the need to expand our family. I'm pushing 40.
So, over the last few months, when multiple women have mentioned Endometrial Ablation, I'm willing to consider it.
What is Endometrial Ablation?
According to Dr. Google, via WebMD:
Endometrial ablation is a procedure that destroys (ablates) the uterine lining, or endometrium. This procedure is used to treat dysfunctional or abnormal uterine bleeding.
The outcome is a reduced menstrual flow. More than half of women will stop having periods altogether.
That's certainly appealing.
My concern is that the word "destroys". This damage cannot be reversed. Not like my husband's vasectomy that could possibly be reversed.
BUT I just said that I didn't ever want to be pregnant again. Right?
So why would I have an issue with willingly destroying my ability to do so?
Not sure, but I do. Feeling very conflicted.
Other options:
Complete hysterectomy - Not warranted and I don't want to lose all my girly bits.
Oral contraceptives - This homeopathic-leaning tree hugger isn't into taking synthetic hormones. Plus, they didn't work well for me in my 20's. Not happening.
Suck it up - menopause is but a mere 10-15 years away, which means I only have 120 - 180 more periods to suffer through. Ugh.
None are appealing.
An appointment has been made with the GYN office who delivered my son. I'm not messing around with my family practitioner at this point. If my doctor agrees that an Endometrial Ablation is the best option, I want to know how I feel about it ahead of time so that we can schedule it and be done with it.
Or not.
Talk to me, please.
Anyone else have this procedure? If so, did you have the thermal or cryo method? Tell me about recovery and how you feel about it from an emotional stand point.
If you don't want to share your girly bits in comments, I respect that. Feel free to email me: kim at mommycosm dot com.
I'd really, really appreciate your advice.
Reader Comments (5)
Hi Kim,
Sorry you have been suffering! I would want to make a change as well to put an end to it!
I have not had this procedure or the exact same thing you are having. I did have a partial hysterectomy 15 years ago due to large fibroids. Nowadays they would have just taken them out, but not so much 15 years ago.
What I want to tell you is this, I was done having kids (had 4!), hubby had done the vasectomy thing already, yet I still struggled with the permanency of a partial. I think it is just normal for us as women, as mothers, to feel a struggle and a sense of mourning. That doesn't mean it is right or wrong, it just is.
So, even if you really want to do this, still be prepared for those feelings of longing and guilt to come up. Acknowledge them, accept them, and move on.
Hugs to you!
Bernice
Have you tried the Boiron poducts designed to help with your menses? I just got them last month, and they did make my day 1 go smoother. Will fill you in on the product names when I'm near my kit.
Kim- I have the Mirena IUD, and LOVE IT!!! Way back before my pill days, I had periods similar to what you're describing, plus the additional vomitting. It was miserable. I had Mirena put it after Noah, kept it for 1.5 years until trying to get pregnant again. Then I had a 2nd one inserted after Conner was born. I'm about 99% sure I'm done having any more kids, but if I changed my mind its a simple office visit to remove it. Its the best thing. It lasts for 5 years, but there's also another Brand of IUD that lasts for 10 years. I have no periods with it (maybe a drop or 2 every month at best), and you can't screw it up b/c there's nothing you need to do (ie, nothing to forget to do...). When they insert it, it just feels like having a PAP done (just takes a little bit longer). Its certainly much less invasive than surgery, and is removable/replaceable... might be worth inquiring with the OB/GYN? At least its another available option... good luck!!!
Great post.
Although I really want #2...my 'visitor' comes with a vengeance everytime. It stinks. Interrupts daily life and is a pain in the butt! Pun intended! Lol
If I was totally done. I might consider something of the sort if it was as bad as yours....
Hope u feel better & find a solution soon!
I want to second the Mirena IUD as a possible option. While I am fortunate enough to not have the horror you experience, my best friend used to describe something similar. She was only 28 at the time and still wanted children in the future. She also tried various pills, but they messed her up emotionally (something fierce!). So she finally tried the 5 year IUD and LOVES it! She has had no complications and lives a very care-free life now.