thermal ablation - your comments please

[hotfemail]

I am 53 and still having regular, normal (sometimes heavy) periods - no sign of the menopause !
I know someone who has had thermal ablation and her periods have now stopped. Am i entitled to just ask my GP if I can have this done to give me some peace at last ??????????

[Ethel]

It didn't work at all for my friend who is also in her 50s and has suffered very heavy and excruciating periods for years. She was very anaemic because of her monthly loss.

However, it may work for you. Whether you could have it on the NHS depends on the need - if your periods are so heavy as to stop your normal life or causes you severe pain, then yes.

Talk to your GP - a pill may be a better solution for you.

[ethandron]

i belong to a menopause forum and you'd really be surprised at how old some ladies are who still get regular periods - up to 60! i think the danger sign is if your periods have stopped for maybe a couple of years and then start again, definately needs looking into. but it's my guess that you're actually only on the old-ish side of normal for still having periods so i do wonder if your doctor would do what you're asking if there's no medical reason.
but, to answer your question, yes, of course you're entitled to ask if you can have it done, although whether it would bring the peace you're after is another question! sometimes, it's only after the periods have finished that the 'fun' really starts in terms of symptoms, and lots of ladies wish their periods back!!
good luck with whatever you do though - been there, lived through it, came out the other side still in one piece :)

[masma]

I was 53 going on 54, my periods were, like yours, regular and heavy. One month it didn't come and that was that! Hope you prove to be the same.

[hotfemail]

thankyou all !!!! xxxxxxxx