I had the balloon ablation 2 yrs ago. My periods are still light, but I too have had lower back pain! Especially around when my periods are due. I had painful issues for about a yr, then they subsided. I have gained about 35 pounds since the surgery though. Even though the dr swore to me that it would not affect the hormones at all! I would not gain weight! I googled other womens opinions after I had the surgery. Most have gained weight! I wouldn't do it again either. Other than the lighter periods, the only reason I agreed to it is because it wouldn't affect my hormones... not true!

thank you for correspondence. I have an appt w Gyno,in like a week& they'll likely do an ultrasound, then what ?? I dont know. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS THE TREATMENT FOR THE BACK PAIN!!! I dont see anything !! & ALSO WHY the pain or HOW is it related to my uterus!! WTF!!! I had a couple of times when pain came around the time of my period, but now the pain will not subside. Most of the time it is dull but can be sharp unbearbale pain at any time. I did also gain weight afterward, approx 20lbs.(was overweight & short to begin with)!

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT DRs have told others about the back pain side effect & what to do!!!!

Maybe some of the replies on this "endometrial ablation side effects" discussion would be helpful in figuring out how to help the back pain -
http://forums.webmd.com/3/gynecology-exchange/forum/12649/51#51

I had a hysterectomy and never had back pain until several years after the hyst.

THANKS FO RTHE INFO:
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE DRs' say about the pain side effects & what to do!!!! I've read lots of posts, most report having similar pains, but not much on why, how it relates or how to fix. SO I thought I'd post some discussions I found that may be helpful in connection with the back pain:
Possible Back Pain sources:
1) Urinary Tract Infection
2) Fluid or blood excess on the uterus
3) Fibroids or lesions on the uterus
4) Scarring or Fibroids pinching on the cervix
5) Nerve Damage

Possible procedures for the Diagnosis & Treatment:
1) Ultrasounds /vaginal ultrasounds
2) Biopsies & Procedures to drain fluids
3) Pain Medication
4) Surgery - ablation(NOT) or hysterectomy

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE DRs' say about the pain side effects & what to do!!!! I've read lots of posts, most report having similar pains, but not much on why, how it relates or how to fix. SO I thought I'd post some discussions I found that may be helpful in connection with the back pain:
Possible Back Pain sources:
1) Urinary Tract Infection
2) Fluid or blood excess on the uterus
3) Fibroids or lesions on the uterus
4) Scarring or Fibroids pinching on the cervix
5) Nerve Damage

Possible procedures for the Diagnosis & Treatment:
1) Ultrasounds /vaginal ultrasounds
2) Biopsies & Procedures to drain fluids
3) Pain Medication
4) Surgery - ablation(NOT) or hysterectomy

Dear KERRIG7: We are grieved to hear that your "cure" may be worse than the original heavy bleeding. I too was struck by the variety of outcomes for women getting an endometrial ablation (EA).

Physicians from the Mayo Clinic (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19104365 ) reviewed the outcomes of 816 women who had an EA. Factors which seemed to predict successful stopping of all bleeding ("amenorrhea") included: age 45 or older (menopause would be kicking in within 5 years or so), a thin uterine lining of less than 4 mm, normal size of uterine cavity (less than 9 cm), and use of NovaSure type rather than heated balloon.

Patient characteristics linked to treatment failure were: age younger than 45 years, five or more pregnancies (leads to larger uterine size), prior tubal ligation, and history of bad menstrual cramps. Of note, 5% of their women had complaints of pelvic pain after their EA procedure. Among that 5% of women with persisting pain 40% had retained fluid within the uterus—referred to by the authors as "postablation syndrome."

EA and adenomyosis: As many of you know, one can have endometriosis which invades into the muscular walls of the uterus. This is called adenomyosis. It is very difficult to diagnose; most often it is identified after removal of the uterus. Adenomyosis is not well visualized on ultrasound; an MRI may be needed. Like endometriosis it can worsen menstrual cramps, create uterine pain, and even prompt bleeding problems. I began to wonder if there was a link between continued pain after EA and possible undetected adenomyosis.

I found a study of 190 women with known adenomyosis who had a rollerball EA. After an average of five years follow up, almost 87% reported reduced or no menstrual cramps. This leaves 13% who had continued monthly pain. In a smaller study of women receiving microwave ablation, 59 had known adenomyosis. After an average of five years of follow up, younger age and presence of adenomyosis, were found to be linked to unsatisfactory treatment outcomes.

The pain of endometriosis and adenomyosis can be referred from the uterus to the lower back, (e.g., like "back labor" during childbirth). Pain from the uterus may also be referred down the thigh. There can be many other causes of low back pain, including: disc problems, muscle strain, nerve entrapment. Thus it may be difficult to establish if back or pelvic pain after an EA was related to the EA, or a concurrent medical condition.

Thus, abnormal uterine bleeding can be treated with medications and/or a synthetic progesterone containing IUD ("Mirena"). Surgical techniques such as hysteroscopy or endometrial ablation can be utilized to retain the uterus as a support for other pelvic structures. Even with these options a percentage of women will go on to hysterectomy because of continued symptoms---this maybe what you decide to do. The GYN who did your procedure is in the best place to give you the most "for sure" answer.

In Support,
Jane

thank you -- sounds like what i am goin through!!