NovaSure? For Sure

July 14, 2009 awellwomansjourney
Tags: endometrial ablation, fibroids, heavy bleeding, Novasure

I had a NovaSure endometrial ablation 4 days ago and so far it is proving to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in a while.  An endometrial ablation is a procedure that essentially fries the uterine lining so that it no longer causes heavy menstrual bleeding. In the process, it sometimes gets rid of or decreases uterine fibroids.

I’ve been battling the old “fibbies” for a long time now. First diagnosed in 1995, I used herbs and acupuncture to manage the symptoms. Once I got married we tried to get pregnant but miscarried and found it was due to the fibroids.  I had a myomectomy in 2001 and promptly got pregnant in 2002  with my daughter. Two years later I got pregnant again and miscarried again. This time, not due to the fibroids, just not a viable pregnancy.  I got pregnant for the last time in 2005 and had my son in 2006.

Things had been pretty good up until about 6 months ago. I started gaining weight, becoming increasingly more bloated with my periods and then the heavy bleeding returned. At first I thought perimenopause and this may in fact be a contributing factor.  But when the bad menstrual cramps returned, I knew it was the fibroids once again.

I made a decision a long time ago to leave this earth with as much of what I came here with as possible. That being said, I have no intention of having a hysterectomy.  So when the heavy bleeding and cramping started up, I went to my GYN to see what could be done.  She ran down the list; Birth control pills, Mirena IUD, another myomectomy, ablation, Uterine Artery Embolization, Hysterectomy. I opted for the ablation.

So bright and early 4 days ago my hubby drove me to my GYN’s office. We arrived at 7:15 am and I was taken back to a room at 7:30 am. Surprised that I only had to strip from the waist down, I was given a lovely powder blue IKEA fleece throw for my legs. I then met with the anesthesiologist. She asked me a few questions and then started an IV in my hand through which she put medication for nausea, some pre-sedation and later some antibiotics. We then casually walked across the hall and a very nice nurse helped me to get comfortable on an oversized lazyboy chair with stirrups. As I settled in, the last thing I remember is the room becoming hazy just before everything went black.

When it was all over, the nursed helped me into a wheelchair and I was taken back to my first room. I looked at the clock and was surprised to see that I had only been gone 15 minutes! My GYN stuck her head in to let me know that everything went great and after about another 15 minutes, I was being wheeled out to my car with my husband.  I was there for a total of 1.5 hours. Truly amazing!

Over the next couple of hours, things got a bit crazy. As the anesthesia wore off, the cramps set in and so did the nausea. I had to send the husband out to fill the Vicodin and Phenergan prescriptions. Once I took them, I slept for almost 6 hours (I’m sort of a light weight) but when I woke up, I felt just fine. I had a bite to eat, hung out a bit with my kiddos and fell asleep for the night at 8pm.

I’ve been well since. There is no major bleeding or pain and I actually feel great. I am anxious to see what my periods will be like in the coming months if I have them at all. As long as I’m not doing my version of hemorrhaging, I’m okay.

This NovaSure ablation system is really a slick little procedure. I don’t know what the future holds, but so far so good. I highly recommend it. (Photos courtesy of Hologic, Inc.,  www.novasure.com)

If you want to learn more about fibroids, visit my website www.nextstepfitness.com and listen to my podcasts.

Entry Filed under: Treatments and Therapies

2 Comments Add your own

• 1. Kristie Miller  |  September 14, 2009 at 6:52 am

  I have had this procedure done a few months ago. It has changed my life for sure but one thing, I keep having a discharge and now I am also experiencing itching along with the discharge. I had a follow-up with my doc. and told him about this. He did a culture and found no infection. He thought it was just my body healing itself. Anyone else experience this?

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  • 2. awellwomansjourney  |  September 15, 2009 at 5:12 am

    Hi Kristie,
    I had the procedure in July, now 2 months ago and while I had discharge for about 3 weeks following the procedure, I haven’t had any since. Now I have had what I call very mini periods. I spot one day, have enough of a flow to use about 2 tampons for a day and then spot just lightly for a day or two. I’ve also not had any odor. I would keep an eye on it. If it doesn’t resolve in the next couple of weeks, I’d get checked again. You may have a bit of a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. Both are easily treated but annoying if left unchecked. Good luck.

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