If you have followed my blog for a while, you already know about the health struggles I have faced over the years. If you are new here, I want to share my story, especially because I now know I am not alone. So many women deal with the same issues in silence. When I was researching the NovaSure ablation procedure before my surgery, all I could find were frightening stories. Now that I am four months post-op and have completed my final follow-up appointment, I feel ready to share my positive experience with the NovaSure ablation.
For some background, Madison will be nine years old in January, and after having her, I developed what I called the “never-ending period.” Birth control pills eventually regulated things, and life returned to normal.
However, after having Will, everything changed. I experienced what was essentially a nine-month period. My hormones were completely out of balance, and my energy was gone. It took trying about ten different birth control pills before we found one that worked until this year.
This year, the never-ending period returned. I decided to stop taking birth control because it was not helping and I thought it might be affecting my weight loss. Unfortunately, that decision made everything worse.
Another visit to my OB-GYN led to yet another birth control prescription, but this one caused severe mood changes. It became clear that I had two choices: continue suffering or have a NovaSure ablation.
For those unfamiliar with a NovaSure ablation, it is a procedure that removes the uterine lining using controlled heat delivered through a specialized device. My doctor believed my symptoms were caused by an unstable uterine lining, and since we were done having children, this option made sense for me.
Despite my doctor’s reassurance, I was terrified. I spent hours researching NovaSure ablation experiences online and found mostly horror stories. Still, I decided to trust my doctor and move forward.
Having the NovaSure ablation was one of the best decisions I have ever made for my health. The hardest part of recovery was forcing myself to rest for three days. I had pain medication, but barely needed it.
Since the end of July, I have only experienced two minor spotting incidents. That is it. After years of exhaustion, discomfort, and frustration, I finally feel like myself again. My NovaSure ablation recovery went exactly as planned, and I could not be happier with the results.
I am sharing my story to let other women know that a positive NovaSure ablation experience is possible. While everyone’s journey is different, four months later, I am incredibly grateful that I chose this path.
If you have followed my blog for a while, you will know what my health issues have been over the last many years. If you haven’t, I’ll summarize what’s been going. I am writing about this, because I thought I was alone. Instead, there are tons of women with the same issue that I had, and we all live in silence, because we don’t know it! Plus, when I was Googling Novasure Ablations before my surgery, all I could find was horror stories. It has been 4 months, and I have had my last post-op follow-up, so it is time to write this post.
For those who need to be brought to speed —
Madison will turn 9 in January. (Where does the time go?) After having Madison, I started having what I like to call the never-ending period. We tried a birth control pill, it regulated my period, and life was good again.
What happened after Will is why I ended up with my Novasure ablation. After having Will, I ended up with basically a nine-month period. Yes, seriously. My hormones were completely out of balance, and my constant lack of energy made it hard to function. I honestly do not know how I got through it. It took about 10 birth control pill tries, and we found one that worked. Until this year.
This year brought many things. The return of the neverending period was one of them. Then, to make matters, worse I thought it was a good idea to stop taking my birth control since it wasn’t working anyway, and I thought it was messing up my weight loss. Well, I opened the floodgates with that decision.
Another visit to the OBGYN brought me another birth control that literally made me feel completely out of control. That left me with two choices: suck it up or have an ablation. For those of you who don’t know what an ablation is, sit down. Are you sitting? Okay, basically, what they do is stick a piece of mesh into you that covers your uterus. They then heat the mesh up and burn out the lining of your uterus. My doctor determined that my issues stemmed from an unstable uterine lining. Since we are done having kids, I made this decision without hesitation.
I did a lot of Googling of Novasure ablations and read every. single. horror. story out there regarding ablations. Needless to say, I felt terrified, but I talked to my doctor, and she reassured me.
Having the Novasure ablation was the best thing I could have ever done. The hardest part of my recovery was forcing myself to stay in bed for three days after the procedure. I had read online that you needed to take it easy, so I forced myself to do so. I even had Vicodin that I really didn’t need to take!
Since the end of July, I have had two spotting incidences. That’s it. It wasn’t even a lot either. I even got to see the picture of my nearly burned uterus. It was gross. LOL I was a textbook case of everything going right during my Novasure ablation (which never happens to me!).
I wanted to write this post, because I wanted to let other women out there know that you can have a great experience with this. Granted, I am only 4 month post-op, but I am very happy with my results!
I had the NovaSure ablation done. Just shy of 9 months of having it, my cervix closed and blood backed up in my uterus. It was super painful and I thought I was in labor. I ended up having a DNC.
Then in Jan, the horrific pain started again and drs noted that I had a fibroid. I would have loved if NovaSure worked for me but it didn’t. I have other health issues and having heavy, painful periods are an annoyance. I had a tubal in 2011 after my youngest was born so my baby days were long gone.
I had mine 3-1-2021….so far I still have a cycle but it’s light…did want one else had there cycle after and if so fit your cycle stop completely
I had the procedure in July 2020. First, I want to say that my hospital bill was $14,000, which seems high to what others are reporting. A hysterectomy was an option for me. I didn’t want to be out of work or on pain meds for that long, so no. For me, I needed the pain meds for about 3 days, and I was in a lot of pain after the surgery. I was a heavy bleeder, would spot the entire month I wasn’t on my period, significant pain, cramps, I felt like I was in labor 2-4 days out of the month when on my cycle and 1 day mid-month, and my cycle was seriously affecting my life. I have not had a single period or drop of blood since the procedure. I had the watery discharge for about 3 weeks, just as I was told I would. I have gained some weight; but I can’t be sure it’s the surgery since I now work from home (telehealth/2020), and I definitely snack more and exercise less… I’ve had no side effects that I’m aware of and it’s been 6 months. The only think that I find frustration with is not knowing when I’m actually having my “cycle”. But, I think I’ve figured it out… I feel a little flu-ish, a little more tired on that day. Otherwise, it’s been a complete game changer for me. I’m 40 years old and I don’t use 3 boxes of tampons a month (not a single one since the surgery), worry about bleeding through them, I’m not the irritable and cranky person I was, who hoped her most difficult days were days I wasn’t working (because it was affecting my ability to work for two years prior), and I’m all around a more pleasant person. I wish someone had recommended this to me years ago. I didn’t expect to be in so much pain afterwards – but again, it was only 3 days, and controlled with Percocet. And if the weight gain is related to the surgery, well, still worth it in my opinion (I’ll choose 20lbs over endless pain, bleeding, and a bad mood). Besides, I know that there is more that I can do to change my lifestyle to loose some weight. A few pounds being a reason to not have the surgery sounds a little narcissistic… frustrating, yes, but not a reason for me to turn back time and change having the procedure – now that 6 months have gone by and looking back at how miserable I was before.
Hello. I just had mine on 9/14/20. Everything has gone week so far. I do have cramping and pressure in the vaginal wall. I plan to go back to work tomorrow.
However, I weighed myself this morning and I gained 3 lbs. I’m scared now because I though I’d anything I would lose a few pounds and my uterus would shrink and hopefully my lower abdomen would be like it was before fibroids.
Has anyone else gained weight after the procedure?
Hi!! I’m scheduled to have this procedure in October. I know it’s been a few years since you all had your procedures so I’m wondering if there have been any longterm side effects like weight gain? Any other advice you have would be great!
I also have the novasure procedure done. All I can say is finally I have my life back. My period was never-ending, I had all lab work done to see if it was polyps, tumors, or fibroids, the test came back negative. This procedure was my last hope, It has been close to a year and I am in good health, not fatigue, no complication.
I had it done 6 years ago and it has failed I have horrible cramping sever bloating headaches I had abdominal weight gain to say the least…I have what’s called post ablation syndrome from the procedure.. the blood has no where to go some it gets backed up in your tubes horrible pain ! I have to have a hysterectomy in July !
I had it done yesterday. The day of surgery was terrible pain. I was perscrines Percocet. I took one immediately broke out in a sweat and started puking. Would rather be in pain. Anyhow the next day I was fine went to work. My appetite is lower and stomach feels bloated. It’s the evening and now only just got slight pain on my left side. So far no bleeding at all.
I just had my surgery 12-27-18. How has everything beem going for everyone?
I’m looking to get this done in the next couple of weeks, but I will be cash pay. So $5,000 is no joke. My Dr no longer does it in office so I now have to pay the $2500 ambulatory fee as well as the dr and Anesthesiologist fee (totals $5k). UGH! I don’t have CRAZY periods, just heavy for 3 days or so, bad cramps day one and two and periods usually last 7-8 days. I’ll be 35 in Oct and we are done having kids (12 year old twin boys) and husband had a vasectomy when they were 3 due to my crazy side effects from birth control. So that is not an option to go back to. I’m just worried about it not making them super minimal or gone. I would like to hear from women, especially close to my age on if they have stayed gone.
Hey!
I know it says with novasure it could take up to 3 months to see what your new cycle will be like, but I had mine done on February 22nd and I haven’t stopped bleeding since. Before I had it my periods were heavy and lasting for about 20 days out of the month. So for me it hasn’t really helped yet ? and I’ve been having a weird pain lately that I’m making an ob appointment for soon! I think the novasure is a good solution for a lot of people but if my periods were only 5-7 days I don’t think I would risk it! Especially since you’re having to pay!
Hi Lauren,
What has happened since??
I had my ablation 8 weeks ago. I’ve had two shorter than normal Periods but bleeding/spotting most days for 8 weeks!
has your period completely stopped by now?
I had the novasure procedure done and couldn’t be happier. This was very tolerable. I was unable to deal with long periods at my age. I was about to turn 50 years old when i thought i should be about done with these altogether. My periods weren’t the kind most women were describing why they done this procedure.I didnt have any heavy bleeding or huge blood clots. Mine was the long duration time I did have regularly periods nothing abnormal ,they just would last 15 days plus in some cases. So for half of a month in was bleedind and all the menstrual symptoms that comes along with periods. After choosing the Novasure i would say i had spotting for 2 to 3 days a month . this lasted for a year and immediately most or all my menstrual symptoms subsided.yay. over a year now lucky if i have any spotting at all. I feel terrific. The night mare is finally over.
I had the Novasure procedure done in 2012. I wasnt having the weird heavy bleeding or the blood clots, In my case it was the duration of my periods . I was hitting 50 years old and having these extremely long periods that would last 15 days or longer at times and no sooner as they would stop I would have 10days to a couple weeks of no bleeding to it starting all over again . This was not what i expected for my age. In my younger years it was not like this. This procedure work very well. And let me say this the pain is very tolerable. I didnt need anything stronger that over the counter pain reliever. Glad to say i have no more periods.
Hi there, thanks for sharing your experience. I just had Novasure on 11/12/14 and was feeling apprehensive. There are tons of negative reviews and complaints about weight gain on line, however I’m assuming that when people feel great they move on and start fully living their lives. 😉 so again.. thanks!
What does it feel like when u hav this done the sugery what does the payin feel like
Well I was scheduled for this morning. I had read the literature and talked to two people that had it done. One is an RN in Labor and delivery. They had terrific results. So, I know it us a possible solution option. However, last night I had immediate and horrid cramps from the mistropol the initial 6p dose. Iwaited the 3 hours to onboard 800mg of Aleve. I have horrid cramps.. But never ever has the Aleve at 500mgs not controlled the cramps. So I googled mistropol, Novasure, problems … And got an eye full. I have 5-7 heavy days with usually a fist sized clot. Lysteda and Aleve help a lot. I thought this would be the magic bullet. Now reading the horror stories, I’ve cancelled. It was a holiday weekend but left a message on their answering service. I need more information. I’m going to be 45 and have never been pregnant. This is something you can’t reverse. I wish I had googled this prior to the mistropol. If I had my period for nine months straight. I would probably go for it. However, at this point I think it is overkill. I live near where Hologic is based. I wonder if this is pushed as a result. I think waiting for the ‘joys of menopause’ is going to be my answer. I’m mad at myself for not doing the research. However, I know I don’t have fibroids or any other issues beyond small polyps.
Thanks for sharing your story! I’m in a similar situation as you were and my Dr approached me today with Novasure. Everything I’ve read is so scary! Have you experienced any weight gain from this? How was the pain during the procedure?
Thanks so much for sharing!
Sarah
No weight gain from this at all.
I was out for the procedure itself. We did it on a Friday, so I could recover over the weekend. Pain was bearable and I was back to my normal life by MOnday.
Hi there, i had novasure yesterday. ( june 23rd 2014 ). I was one who had terrible bleeding and cramps that were like labor pains!!!! I have a very high pain tolerance but THESE were out of control, periods were comming every 23 days and i would flood. Seemed i was living my life around my cycle….i had had ENOUGH! I talked to my dr….did the tests needed to make surw i was a good candidate, and here i am 1 day post op. Yesterday was ok, i woke up with pain like my cramps…the nurses managed pain VERY well. Once i got home i barely felt anything but was nauseated and threw up a lot. I called my dr. She ordered an anti nausea drug…i took 1 and it was miraculous…..i was fine….i ate and fell asleep with mo pain!!!! I didn’t even need a motrin. Didn’t wake up in the night and woke up thos morning with nothing more than a mild soreness ( i’ve felt worse with ovulation ). I am lightly bleeeding. No pain with urination nothing. I was expection all this horrible stuff because of the posts i’ve read….we will see how i progress… but this is how it has gone for me….i feel it’s been fairly easy. Hope this helps.
What it feel like have that sugery i git to have it done iam scared what the payin feel loke
It is good to know that you are doing well now and have recovered well after the operation. It surely does feel like winning a great jackpot in the best bingo online site. Thankd for sharing your experience with us!
I had to have three of the ablations and finally had to have a hysterectomy. I am glad you had a lot better results than I did. 🙂
Great post. I wrote my experience in March on my site as well, it's hard to find good results instead of the scary stories.
Thank You, I’m very scared an I’m scheduled to get mines next week. Please pray for me!! ?
I have several friends who've had an ablation done, and it's been a miracle for all of them. I'm so glad that it's working out well for you and that you found a solution. I just wish you hadn't had to get there!
Oh my goodness, what a terrible condition. I've never heard of it. And to think I thought menstruating was bad enough!! I'm glad there was a happy result.