Hi there Ellen, Thanks for writing. My understanding is that between 20 to 30 percent of the women who have the procedure (which was approved by the FDA in 2001 for those who aren't familiar) done will stop having periods all together. The other 60 to 70 percent will have a significant reduction in the amount of bleeding usually down to light bleeding or spotting.

Did the doctor who performed the procedure review expectations with you?

I had the cryoablation done on July 2. I felt really good the next day but on July 6th I think I started my period and I am flowing really bad. I hope this stops soon and never starts again. Not being able to use tampons makes it very hard as the flow seems to go right up my back,,I have to double my pads. I have been having alot of cramping and at times it feels like the blood is just pouring out of me. I keep looking for some of the lining to come out hoping that will put a stop to things.

I would love to see a total loss of period but that has not been promised. At this point, anything would be an improvement.

What type of bleeding ocurrs immediately following? The doctor did say that there would be watery discharge for up to six weeks. I'm not liking that because...no sex for six weeks does not compute with me...SORRY.

Anyone experience the six week nightmare?

I am thinking of having this procedure. In the process of researching. It is for Cryoablation. Unfortunatly I am finding difficulties locating anyone that has had this procedure done. I am ready about the one where they burn but not the freezing. My doctor told me this was my only option. I tend to bleed 8-10 days and spot for another 5-7 days. It seems the longer I wait the less "free" days I have. Any help would be appreciated.

I had it partially done on the 9th, my Dr. couldnt see well enough to get the whole procedure done so I will have to go back and have a different one done wich requires me to be put to sleep. I immediately started bleeding and lost a chunk the size of my palm when he pulled the instruments out. I bled heavy that day and spotted the next and am now bleeding through super tampons and the huge pads about every 2 hours. I am having horrible random cramps and am trying to patiently wait until my surgery is scheduled. I was assured cramping and bleeding were normal. I would rather have opted now in hindsight for the partial hysterectomy.

I had the procedure done on July 10 and i have had some cramping type pains everyday since. The procedure went well but afterwards was a nightmare. I was in severe pain and was very sick to my stomach. I have had some light leakage but that is all. I can't seem to control my bladder. I hope this works! I wish you all the best of luck!

Sherri

I had the Her Option done exactly 2 weeks ago today. I started my period about 4 days after I had the cryoblation done which was a very heavy flow that lasted 5 days. Since then I have been spotting light to medium. Seems to depend on what I do or don't do,, I think. It seems as if I am on my feet alot I bleed more. Today has been a pretty good day just spotting very lightly. But I am tired of wearing pads every day. Wish I could wear a tampon..I think that would make it so much more comfortable. I see the dr on July 29 for a check up. I know a woman at work that had this same procedure done about 5 months ago and she said it was the best thing she ever did. Hasn't had a period since. So I guess everyone is different.

i had the cryo done 2 days after my period ended & the dr said the lining is very thin at that time. i had cramps and spotting for about 2 days & then the leaking started that lasted 2 1/2 weeks. now i have my period early & it has been really light so far.

I had my procedure on June 12, 2008. Cramping was minimual. Lasted into the afternoon. Doc said first period would be heavier than normal and it was. He said it could take six months for full affect. However, 6 days after the procedure, I landed in the ER with a pulmanary embolism. My doc said he had never heard of anything like that happening and I have not read anything indicating blood clots as a side effect of this procedure. A tiny clot was found in my lower left leg but I had no indications that it was there, leg pain, swelling etc. So far tests have not revealed any reason for the clot and doctors have pretty much blamed it on the birth control pills that I was taking. I am on blood thinners now for the next 6 months. I dont smoke, no history of clots on either side of my family, and I'm active and athletic. Anyone else have this problem?

I just had it done on Tuesday, July 22. The procedure wasn't too bad. I drank too much water so it was a bit more painful on the bladder. That day, I had some cramping, a bit of vomiting, but rest and taking my medicine on time helped.
Wednesday I felt like someone had been poking around in there and since they were, I didn't think it strange. :)
I flew on Thursday, attended a wedding on Saturday and flew again on Monday. That went fine. I felt more like I had a baby, sore. Also, not lifting heavy things is a MUST.
It has been a week, I haven't had any bleeding. The worst was the "loose bowels" from the antibiotic. That doesn't help you feel any better there. UGH!
Overall, it has been good so far.

I am so glad to have found this site. I needed some different viewpoints! Women are GREAT!

I had Her Option performed on Tuesday, two days after my period had stopped. I had light bleeding the first night and have not had any bleeding since. I thought the procedure itself went well and would recommend it to anyone who has had problems with heavy periods. The cramping is manageable with pain meds and I resumed normal activity the following day. I do feel like I am constantly wetting my pants due to the watery discharge... any comments on how long that lasts???

Hi Hattie and thank you for your question - I'm glad the Her Option procedure went well for you!

According to most sources, a water discharge may be experienced for up to two weeks after the procedure.

St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Texas is one of many hospitals who provide a question and answer section regarding the Her Option procedure, and their Q & A is very similar to others I checked into in order to help answer your question.

You can find the information here:

http://www.sleh.com/sleh/Section004/inde...

I hope this helps - please be assured that this watery discharge is common. If it continues past two weeks, you may want to mention it to your doctor at your post-op check-up.

Please keep us updated!

A friend of mine had it done over a year ago and she had one light light light period a year almost to the day of her procedure.

Hers was the heat one though, so I don't know if that makes a difference.

This is excellent information and glad to hear things went well. Thanks for helping other women manage expectations in terms of the post-procedure. And for those unfamiliar with Fifths Disease, it is a rash that is accompanied by a fever, headache and and mild cold-like symptoms.

Thank you for your post. I hope you continue to recover, it sounds like you're doing pretty well so far.

Please do let us know how you get along in the next few weeks and hopefully you'll have a positive story to tell!

It does seem that the downside of this procedure is discomfort and watery discharge for a few weeks after and then the results seem pretty good - so keep us posted!

I'm glad you are doing so well.

The day (Day 1) after a c-section or appendectomy is pretty good, in my experience. Bless those meds! It's day 2 and beyond that's the problem!

I hope things continue to go well for you and thanks for sharing your experience. Her Option is always a hot topic on Empowher and the more women who tell their story, the better!

Just need to tout my fav GYN ever in Atlanta. Very experienced, does the HerOptions and occasionally Novasure in the office, has been teaching other physicians how to do three of the endometrial ablation techniques. If you need a socond opinion or want to find a doc who really listens to you and your goals, and then explains all of your options in language you will understand go to the website and see if it feels like a match for you. Sorry to blab on, just hoping I can help someone avoid getting stuck with a knife-happy, egotistic self-centered gyn like I had; afraid to leave her because I had some loyalty to her assistant (friend of mine).

Get a good pre-op diagnosis, ultrasound (saline enhanced if polyp or fibroid is suspected- to map it out) and endometrial biopsy if needed. Then you will know that this is a reasonable optoins rather than hyst as a first step. look at the testimonials to see what i mean. www.DoctorRabin.com

thanks for the forum. Gloria (been there, done that!)

I also have had the procedure in August. After 3 c-sections and heavy bleeding this was perfect solution. I did have a period as scheduled a week after the procedure. And I am still waiting on my next one or maybe I will be one of the blessed to have no future bleeding. I will say I too have one of the best doctors in Atlanta he explained everything I would feel and everything I would need to recover in great detail. He is the best doctor I have ever seen throughout my life time. I simply feel blessed to have him as my gynecologist and the doctor who delivered my beautiful babies. Check out Dr. Scott with Marietta OBGYN

So far so good! I had mine done on July 22. I had a period in August (during vacation) and so far that has been it. I am a bit on pins and needles thinking it will come when I least expect it and be as bad as it was. Keeping my fingers crossed!

My key to a good recovery was taking the medications on time, every time. I set my alarm to wake up to take them. Once they were gone, I felt fine. Again, not lifting things is a MUST.

I am planning on having the cryoablation and I have a very thick lining. I have had the endometrial biopsy which was negative and then had a sonohysterogram which shows I have 4 polyps approx 1 cm in size each. Doesn't it seem like I should have these removed via D & C before I have the cryo? So that my lining is actually destroyed and not all the junk on top of the lining? Has anyone had this issue and if so, did it still work for you?

I had the procedure Sept. 9. about a week after I had heavy watery discharge, soaking through pads every 2 hours. I thought it finally stopped after 2 weeks 3 days, and finally had sex, only to wake up bleeding bright red blood (heavy)! Is this normal? It is Saturday, and that's why I'm looking on line. I'm really tired of this, 3 weeks will be Tuesday, and I just want to be normal again!