Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Pain starting 2 weeks after Novasure

18 days ago I had tubal ligation and Novasure ablation.  My abdomen was sore for several days and I had a watery pink/brown dishcharge which seemed to slow down after 10-12 days.  Except for the sutures I felt fine.  I had my 2 week follow up appt with my doc, who did a pelvic exam.  Since then I have had constant mild-moderate "cramping" and a bloated pressure feeling low across my abdomen from hip to hip.  Also, discharge became more red and am having some small mucous dishcarge now.  I don't have a fever, but the pain is really bothersome, though not debilitating.  It almost feels like gas pain with bloating, though I've had normal bowel movements.  I'm concerned I could have an infection.  Discharge is somewhat smelly, but not as bad as the first few days.  This is my fourth day with this new pain.  Does it seem normal?  How long should I wait to call my doctor?  Thanks, Jolene
170 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
172023 tn?1334672284
I'd let him know now, just because the weekend will be approaching in a couple more days.  That way, if it's nothing at all you won't have to worry.

The d/c after a Novasure can persist for a couple of weeks.  You might still get a period too, at whatever time you normally expect one.  It should be vastly lighter, though.

I had the procedure last June, and I get a day or two of spotting at my usual time now.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a Novasure ablasion in January 2006. So, it has been 1 year. The procedure was uneventful. All went well. My periods were reduced to a "normal" flow as promised, for the first few months.

About 6 months ago, my period became almost non-existent. In addition, I experienced fairly substantial abdominal pain and bloating. The pain lies under my belly button, in the center, left and right. I can actually press on the areas and feel sharp pains.

I have been to my OB and had a complete exam, thinking that perhaps the blood was somehow trapped. The doctor says that there was no indication of this. Yet, monthly this pain persists.

The bloating makes me look like the early stages of pregnancy, my clothes don't fit for 5 days and the pain continues month after month with each period.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had endometrial ablation with novasure on 12/20/07. I had minimal staining after the procedure for a few days. Yesterday I started to have the same pain as Another woman described. The pain was first in my lower pelvis and pressure on the rectum. I too thought it was gas pain so I took Gas x and Motrin with some releif. Today the pain moved to my whole lower abdomen and around the belly button. All of a sudden I started to bleed heavily. I had an emergency ultrasound which showed alot of blood in the uterine cavity which the doctor said was unusual. I went for an in office vacuum suction of the cavity(not very pleasant) and I was put on antibiotics and Provera. MD said if this doesnt work I'll need an out-patient D&C in the amb surg center.Will keep you posted.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i had novasure done 16/11/07 same as i am experiencing strong cramps across lower abdomen and stomach slightly swollen my discharge has changed too a brown colour similar to end of period visited g.p today who said it is 3mnths till u know if procedure has worked dnt think i can cope with this  pain for that long have got no followup from hospital just too get re referred if symptoms of heavy bleeding comes bk
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the Novasure and a tubal ligation on 12/7/2007, and I started experiencing horrible pain and cramps in my upper abdomin and lower abdomin after about 10 days.  My GYN called to check on me about 12 days after and said it was normal and probably would not stop until after I had my cycle.  Well, today is about 15 days and I was in so much much pain last night and this morning that I was dizzy, had nausea, and diareaha.  I had to sleep until about 12:00 p.m. and then I have napped off and on all day due to the pain. Is this normal?  I have spotted off on on for 15 days. My husband is concerned due to the fact that I had to sleep all day (this is worse than my menstrual cramps which are usually horrible).  Tylenol does not help (I took 1500 mg about 2 hours ago-2500 for the day).  I can't take motrin (on coumadin).  I am going to take the Roxicet I was given to sleep tonight.  Any suggestions, comments, same issues.....Thanks.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the Novasure and a Fibroids removed along with an D/C done on March 12, 2008 I haven't really had any problems except nausea and headaches along with runny bowel and this brownish discharge that smells it kinda reminds me of a period but its been constant since I've had the procedure done.I was told by my doctor no sex, baths or tampons for 6 weeks and I'm on week two and this discharge hasn't stopped yet did any one else experience this and if so when does it stop.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a Novasure ablasion and D&C Sept 07, for heavy bleeding,  and EXTREME PAIN.  My Gyn said I had thickening of the endrometrial lining and he removed, what he said to be, a big blood clot.  I felt so wonderful over the next few months.  Little bleeding during my time.  NO PAIN.  I was so thankful.......could actually carry on my life during this time of the month.  Now.....it's starting again....the pain.....can the lining thicken again this fast....can it be another clot?  I'm not really bleeding this month....but the pain is getting progressively worse...I don't want to go through this again.  What is going on here!!!!!  Any advise?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i just had the Novasure done on Tue. April 22, 2008 and I am unsure what to expect in the next few weeks.  I can say reading everything that has been said makes me wonder if I made the right choice.  I had it done due to fibroids, very painful period and heavy monthly periods.  I pray things go well and I will keep you ladies posted as the days go by.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had my Novasure ablation recently on April 9, 2008.  I'm 52 yrs. old and have always had heavy, long-lasting periods.  I was hoping to begin menopause and be done with this, but I had a period the first of 2008 and it just wouldn't end.  I was on birth control medicine temporarily before finally having the endometrial ablation done.  My dr. did a D&C along with the ablation.  All went well and my dr. said it was a "textbook" surgery even though my uterus cavity is larger than normal.  Recovery went as expected.  I went in for my two week follow-up (expecting an internal exam, but not) and my dr. just asked how I was.  I was honestly fine.  But, as Murphy's Law would have it, I started spot bleeding the day after my office visit.  Few days into a little bleeding, I'm now having bad abdominal/pelvic cramping.  I came to this website looking for answers.  I, too, am wondering if I just spent $7,500 for a procedure that will leave me still needing a hysterectomy later on down the road.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too had an endometrial ablation in 12/05.  Had the normal discharge for weeks to follow.  Periods got much much lighter, but still get one every month.  Over the last year, the monthy cramps started to come back.  About every other month I am experiencing lower abdominal and right-sided pain that is getting worse and worse while not having my period.  Then when I do have it, the cramps are pretty severe again!.  

I have had several doctor visits with my primary care dr and my OB-GYN dr. also over the past year.   Had several pelvic u/s and a few CT scans.  It keeps showing that I have fluid in my uterus and they say I may have had a right-sided cyst that ruptured.   I am getting so frustrated with not feeling good with the constant pain and feeling like I am getting blown off by them, and that kind of sucks, as I worked with these dr's for 17 years.  I was thinking of a second opinion very soon, and the pain started last week Thurs and is still going on.

I called my normal dr.  one more time today and got referred to see OB-GYN and luckily got in right away.   We chatted again about it all, had an internal exam and have an u/s scheduled for tomorrow now.  

He mentioned that he gets studies in the mail about 3 x a week at home that he reads over from some thing dr's join and it has been on ablations lately.  He related to me that the study suggested that with the ablations they can only do the procedure so far, as not to injure other organs.  They are now finding out in some studies that the disease that is treated by the ablation is actually into the tube areas and that cannot be treated up that far with the ablation procedure -  they are finding out that is where all the pain is coming from and now, on those particular ppl studied.  At this point, he is not saying I have that right now, but have the u/s tomorrow and will go from there.

It hurts still and its a week along AGAIN.  So we will see what's next.  Just wanted to share a NovaSure ablation story also.    
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am considering having the Novasure ablation procedure, but concerned with all the negative comments I've read about people experiencing pain, heavy periods, etc.  Have you had any complications?  Do you feel the procedure was worth the risk>
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the Novasure ablation Feb. 08.  I have had a period every month since then but not heavy.  The last one I had was only 3 days and very light.  That I am happy about, but my feet keep swelling up as if I was 9 months pregnant.  It is the worst if I am sitting up.  Does anyone else have this problem since the surgery.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the Novasure procedure in 1/2007 because of excessively heavy periods.  Then approximately 3 months later I began having extremely painful cramps with only brown spotting.  My doctor put me on Yasmin to control the bleeding which was supposed to control the pain.  That did not work and in March of 2008 I changed doctors (a female this time).

She immediately knew what had most likely happened when I mentioned that I had the Novasure procedure performed.  As a result of having the procedure I am looking at having to have a hysterectomy.  She is awaiting test results and we will discuss it further.

I have to say "No" to the Novasure procedure.  It's not worth it.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I  had the procedure in April 2008. I am cramping and bleeding several times a month with very weird discharge.  I am so confused about this procedure because my period are lighter but the cramps are worse than you can imagine so bad I have been unable to sleep some nights.
I told my doctor at my one month checkup and she acted like we would not be able to tell for several months, but I feel like the procedure not the miracle it was made out to be. I think this procedure is a big time money maker for these doctors (90 seconds) think about the money they charge for 90 seconds..... so as soon as they find someone that this the first thing they suggest.... Be careful out there....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the Novasure procedure in March 2008 and I never had spotting between periods but now I am. I don't think it has helped much with my heavy periods. I still have cramps maybe even more then before!  I don't think that I would recommend this procedure to anyone!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I started this thread 1 1/2 years ago.  Here is how my story played out:

I continued to have light/mod periods, much more regular than before the procedure.  2 weeks after my post op I went back to the doc because of the pain and thought I might have an infection.   She saw no obvious evidence of infection, but decided to play it safe since I'd just had the surgeries, and I was put on antibiotic.

Every 4 weeks I had a light period, but it could go on for days.  The abdominal pain became worse and more intense with each cycle.  In June 2007 I went back to my doc.  She told me it was possible I had developed adenomiosis (google it).  She said that they didn't see any smoldering endometriosis when the did the tubal ligation/ablation.  She did suspect my left ovary was causing some problems because of the way it looked and it's position when they did the surgery.

She explained adenomiosis:  The uterus has basically 3 layers;  the outer is the uterine muscle, the inner is the endometrial lining, and in between is this "adeno-something" layer which are tiny glands that grow the endometrial layer each month.

When they do the ablation they aim to destroy the endometrial layer and this adeno or grower layer.

Sometimes, in a few instances, these adeno grower gland things have already migrated into the uterine muscle.  If this has happened the ablation procedure does not and can not reach and destroy these grower glands.  

Post ablation result:  The adeno gland things are still inside the uterine muscle, growing endometrium and causing havoc/pain each month; scar tissue from the ablation may have sealed up this area, so the newly grown endometrium has no where to go.

My result:  Partial hysterectomy and left oopherectomy Nov 2007.  The pain got worse and longer each month, to the point I thought it might actually kill me by making me have a heart attack or something.  I've never experienced pain like it except during childbirth.  It lasted for days at a time.  Narcotic painkillers wouldn't touch it.  Between periods I was relatively pain free.

Post surgery:  Pathology reports indicated I did have adenomiosis (it can ONLY be diagnosed by slicing up the uterus, there is no test for it), endometriosis (which they either missed during 1st procedure or it developed really really quickly), and a 7 cm cyst on my left ovary which showed signs of a previous rupture.  God, no wonder I was having so much pain!

I'm doing really well now.  The hysterectomy was the best thing I ever did.  I have one ovary left, so I don't need to do hormone replacement.  My doc says ovaries are kind of like kidneys, when one gets taken the other one sort of kicks in and takes over.

I think the Novasure procedure is like any other procedure.  It works well for some and not for others.  I don't regret giving it a try and I wish it would've worked.   I also think that for the most part, those of us who visit these websites are the ones who maybe didn't have a great result and are still suffering.  The people who had a great result are getting on with different aspects of their lives because this chapter closed for them.

Good luck to everyone, I hope you find the relief you need.  The mom
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
WELL, BACK IN NOV. 08' I HAD THE NOVASURE AND A TUBAL. THE RECOVERY WAS NOT BAD AT ALL. I WAS BACK TO NORMAL STUFF IN 2 DAYS. ANYWAYS, I DO NOT HAVE A PERIOD AT ALL ANYMORE, THO I HAVE SYMPTOMS EVERY MONTH (BLOATING, CRAMPING, MOOD SWINGS). THE BIG PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD IS A YEAST INF. THAT HAS CONTINUED ON UNTIL NOW. I HAVE ALSO HAD BACTERIAL INF.  I HAVE BEEN TO OB/GYN SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE TAKE COUNTLESS NUMBER OF MEDS. IT WILL HELP FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THE MISERY COMES BACK. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH HAVING THIS DONE OR NOT, BUT I DID NOT BEGIN THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THEN. ALSO, ON MY LAST OB/GYN VISIT, HE TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE A PERIOD & IF I DID NOT HAVE ONE REAL SOON THAT HE WANTED TO PUT ME ON SOMETHING TO MAKE ME HAVE ONE. WELL, I THOUGHT THAT IS WHY I HAD THIS DONE???????? BUT HE SAID THAT IF I DID NOT HAVE ONE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THAT IT COULD CAUSE CANCER. IF ANYONE OUT THERE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM OR THINKS THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THIS IS DESTROYING OUR SEX LIFE, AND I HAVE TERRORIZED WITH THE PAIN AND ITCHING. OH! YES, ONE MORE THING. I HAVE BEEN HAVING BLADDER PROBLEMS TOO! PLEASE, HELP!
***@****
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am thinking of have the Novasure done. I dont have any cramping. Just extemely heavy periods that last quite a while. Has anyone had cramping after who never had it before. How long can you resume you "love" life after?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
just had the novasure done on Monday June 9th 2008. I had it done because of heavy menstrual periods that kept me home and my whole life was beginning to revolve around my periods...I work from home so really didn't realize how bad it was until I finally realized I would never be able to hold down a full time job outside the home with all the days I would probably be missing! I have to say all of these posts I am reading are kind of scaring me, but I am hoping I made the right choice and that the procedure works for me. I am 45, have three grown kids and had a tubal ligation 20 years ago. I never had much pain or cramping  with my periods, just alot of bleeding. I'll keep you posted on my progress and hope that you can make a decision that will be right for you. The procedure itself was fast, they put me under anastesia and i came home and felt great!  I forced myself to relax and watch some movies, its now approx. 48 hrs later and I feel great!!! I'm looking forward to actually going on vacations and camping and not worrying about where the closet restroom is every 30 minutes!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the NovaSure procedure done on May 2 2008. I might have to call my doctor tomorrow because I am bleeding again.  After the surgery I had light spotting for about a week but as I got into the second week I started bleeding a little more but not any where near like I used to before the procedure. It last for about 5 days and never got real heavy but just didnt seem to want to stop.  When I would walk or do something I could feel a gush but not anything real heavy as I have experienced before.  However, the only way I could get this bleeding to stop was to stay off my feet for a whole weekend.  Through Sat the 15th of May to Sunday the 16th of May I made myself do nothing and stayed on the couch or in bed, it completely stopped.   All was fine, I moved the last weekend in May and I thought I was okay.  Well Monday night, June 9th I started bleeding again.  It is now Wed night and it is heavier and red.  I will call the doctor tomorrow to see if this is normal.  All of my friends who have had this procerdure haven;t had a period since.  I should be so lucky as to have this problem.  I am wondering if the doctor did something wrong?  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the Novasure three weeks ago for heavy bleeding and anemia.  I am 46 and have had two prior laparotomies to remove excess scar tissue following c-sections. The Novasure procedure went well and I had little pain and almost no discharge afterward, although did notice a lot of bloating and some weight gain.  

However, yesterday I experienced a "gush" of a lot of pinkish fluid that I can only describe as breaking water in pregnancy as my pants were soaked.  Then severe abdominal pain began which literally made me double up. After a second gush I went to the ER and had an ultrasound.  Was told that fluid is building up behind scar tissue and releasing sporadically (no kidding), uterine contractions to expel these pockets were probably causing the pain.  They offered another D&C but being concerned about even more scar tissue forming, I declined.  

So now I'm at home on painkillers waiting for the next fluid pocket to burst - back to doubling up on overnight pads!  I'm hoping though that this will ease up as healing continues.  I would say that if it weren't for this complication - which may be due to my scar tissue problem in paticular - the Novasure is worth it as I'm no longer anemic.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a tubal ligation almost 2 yrs ago.  Due to extreme bleeding and pain, I had a Novasure 5 months ago.  I have experienced weight gain, mood swings, painful sex, discharge and bloating.  I have nausea and bloating after every meal.  I look like I could be 4 mths pregnant.  I searched the web with my problems, because I actually feel like I could be pregnant or having gallbladder issues.  Is anyone else experiencing these problems.  I made a dr appointment with my PCP, but I wonder if I should be seeing my GYN.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a discharge everyday since the procedure. I did not have one before. I wish I would have just put up with the cramps I was having instead. The discharge is yellow and waterly. The doctor don't seem to have a answer. I am going  to a new doctor on the eighteen of August.m I had the proedure done on Sept 17,2007 and still discharging.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had my ablation on July 21, 2008 and I am experiencing the same things; the cramping and pain, nausea and gushing of blood - especially when laying flat (mostly around the early morning hours before waking up) and it's only been 3 weeks since the surgery.  I am hopeful that this will go away soon because I would like to go on with my life.  I, too discharge everyday and have never done that before.  I understand that I had my uterus lining burnt and that some healing would have to be taking place but I am not looking forward to regretting my decision to have this procedure done.  We can only hope that thing progress in a good direction eventually.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Women's Health Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.