ask: Has anyone had "her Option" cryo ablation procedure done for heavy bleeding,pms, cramps. I had it done four days ago and my doctor said to expect a watery discharge for about 3 weeks. I have extremely heavy bleeding and severe cramps. Is this normal?

Hi fmfsd - Yes, several EmpowHER members have had this procedure and have written about it in earlier threads. They've reported various responses ranging from painless to the type of response you're reporting.

http://www.empowher.com/community/ask/how-her-option-cryoablation-recove...

A watery discharge is the expected norm for 2-3 weeks following the procedure. According to the Her Option site: "You may also experience a watery discharge for up to three weeks following the treatment as the tissue heals. This is normal."

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) patient education online brochure regarding Endometrial Ablation:

"After the Procedure
Some minor side effects are common after endometrial ablation:
* Cramping, like menstrual cramps, for 1–2 days
* Thin, watery discharge mixed with blood, which can last a few weeks. The discharge may be heavy for 2–3 days after the procedure.
* Frequent urination for 24 hours
* Nausea

If your strong cramps and heavy discharge last for more than 2-3 days it would be advisable to call your doctor's office and seek their advice. Your doctor can also help you with information on when you can exercise, have sex, or use tampons. In most cases, patients are able to go back to work or to normal activities within a day or two, so if you are experiencing problems that are debilitating it would not be considered "normal" and would warrant attention.

Does this information help? When do you go back to your doctor for your next follow-up? Are you having any other symptoms or "procedure side effects"?

Pat

I had cryoablation/her option done March of 09. I was not happy about my results for the first few months i still had heavy bleeding but the doctor told me it can take up to 6 months or longer to see the result. At about the six month mark my bleeding had gotten alot better but I was still having a period for at least 6 days. After this point my periods became 5 days and only one day of that was heavy but nothing like the past ones. Then at the 9 month mark it was 2 days and just spotting, then 10 months and nothing which is where I am now so I hope this is it for me and I will be period free from here on out. I'm glad I had it done cause I was missing work and fun activities because of the heavy bleeding which caused weakness, tiredness, accidents and just plan unhappy with it.

I had the procedure done in March of 2008. It was fine for a while. After about 8 months the heavy bleeding came back. I am 52 years old and I am having a hysterectomy next month. A co-worker of mine has had the procedure done as well. She has yet to see another period. Results do vary.

I had the Her Option last year. I had severe cramps, but no bleeding. The watery discharge did last for at least 3 weeks. Sadly it did not work. My periods are exactly the same, possibly worse :(

I had the cryoablation done in July of 09 and am at the 6 month mark now. I never had the watery discharge or the passage of pieces of lining like I was told would happen. I also didn't see a reduction of bleeding in my regular monthly periods. I would have to say the only difference was a lessening in cramps(probably because my cervix had been dilated for the procedure). The bleeding has remained the same since the procedure. I am having it done again in 2 weeks. Hope it takes then.

Hi fmfsd- Has this information been helpful for you? How are you doing? We'd love to hear from you, and hope you're okay. Pat